National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day - May 16
Fri, May 16, 2025

National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day

National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day is an essential holiday for society, marked by the struggle for the rights of minorities. It pays tribute to those who embarked on the difficult journey of fighting for equality and who persevered in the face of challenges. This holiday is observed on May 16 each year.

History

The first parade dedicated to gay rights took place in San Francisco in 1978, where the rainbow flag was displayed for the first time. In 1994, the Felipa de Souza Award was established to honor defenders of LGBT rights and freedoms. In the fall of 2012, a memorial in Chicago became the foundation for an open-air museum exhibit. In the summer of 2019, New York saw the creation of the Wall of Honor, featuring the names of community activists who contributed significantly to the LGBT movement.

Interesting Facts

The LGBT association in New York includes over 270,000 people.

  1. The original rainbow flag, designed by artist Gilbert Baker, had 8 stripes. Each color carries a meaning: pink — sex, purple — spirit, orange — healing, yellow — sunlight, red — life, green — nature, indigo — serenity, and turquoise — creativity.
  2. Notable LGBT elders include Jean Eversmeyer, John Hudson, Frank Kameny, and Grethe Cammermeyer.
  3. The day is filled with conversations and expressions of gratitude for those who fought for the civil rights of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people.

This day honors the courage, resilience, and dedication of LGBT elders who have significantly contributed to achieving social progress.

When is National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day in 2025?

National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day is observed on May 16 each year.

Observations

Weekday Month Day Year
Friday May 16 2025
Saturday May 16 2026
Sunday May 16 2027
Tuesday May 16 2028
Wednesday May 16 2029