George Fernandez
This June marks the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York City, a series of riots for gay liberation that took place over several days beginning on June 28, 1969. What began as a bold and brave public outcry over injustice has transformed into Pride Month that is globally recognized as a time of celebration, commemoration, and activism for the LGBTQ+ community.
The purpose of this month is much more than a vibrant celebration of diversity and self-affirmation. It’s a potent reminder of the disparities that still exist, and the need to promote equity, acceptance, and respect for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Most importantly, it’s a time to recognize our own blind spots that may be preventing us from acting from a place of humility and humanity.
We need to look no further than right here in Central PA to find very real and recent examples of discrimination against our LGBTQ+ community where differences are used as a cause for division rather than a reason for unity. And the common theme that is almost always the underlying cause? Fear and misunderstanding.
But what if this Pride Month we – and I mean each and every one of us – made a dedicated effort to take the posture of leading with humility and humanity? What if we used the next 30 days to have real, humanizing conversations with people who look, act, and think differently than we do? What if we made the extra effort to look one another in the eyes and see the person that lies within?
The common truth we need to focus on, and celebrate, is that the LGBTQ+ community is growing! It’s not up for debate. The percentage of U.S. adults who consider themselves something other than heterosexual has more than doubled since Gallup first asked about sexual orientation and transgender identity in 2012. According to the 2024 Gallup poll, LGBTQ+ identification in the U.S. is now at 7.6%, and more than one in five Gen Z adults identify as LGBTQ+.
Increases in LGBTQ+ identification in recent years have occurred as Generation Z and the millennial generation have entered adulthood. In fact, each younger generation is about twice as likely as the generation that preceded it to identify as LGBTQ+. As current trends continue, it is expected that LGBTQ+ identifiers will exceed 10% of U.S. adults at some point within the next three decades!
The LGBTQ+ community is an important and beautiful part of our cultural tapestry here in Central Pennsylvania. Just as we make strides to embrace the Latino and black communities, immigrants, non-English speakers, and everyone in between, we must equally create space at the table for our LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors.
As the world celebrates Pride Month this June, I urge you to step away from the sidelines and embrace this opportunity to open doors for discussion and understanding. When you take a posture of cultural humility, there is no excuse to remain isolated or uninformed.
What our community needs most right now are safe spaces where culture and diversity are celebrated and where our differences are what bring us together. One of the most iconic examples of this in downtown Harrisburg is Stallions on N. 3rd Street. There are countless stories of community members who regard this as a space where they feel safe, loved, seen, and appreciated.
When this business went up for sale, my husband, Nelson, and I stepped forward to purchase the building to ensure it always remains a place of goodwill, love, and self-expression for all. As Pride Month takes place, Stallions will be undergoing a transformation to become Karma, which will open to the public this July. Just as the name indicates, Karma is a place where each person’s unique light and energy is reflected and amplified, with a special focus on arts, entertainment, and culture.
As a longstanding member and supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, my hope is that this Pride Month will continue to build upon its 55 years of history, now with an even greater focus on humility and humanity – seeing people for the unique humans we are, embracing our differences, and being intentional about creating and protecting spaces where every member of our community feels safe to be exactly who they are.
George Fernandez is the president & CEO of Color & Culture, a multicultural, multichannel full-service marketing agency. He and his husband, Nelson Mena, are the co-owners of Karma, slated to open in downtown Harrisburg in July.
