The 2025 Pride Month has come and gone. The Ecstasy and the message continues to reverberate as Africans and Nigerians in particular use the ocassion to again made the world understand the travails of millions of people who belong to the LGBTQ as a way of life and choice and not as compulsion.
Many Nigerians in Canada, a country that joined forces with 13 other nations—including Spain, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, and Ireland—in a robust statement reaffirming their commitment to defending LGBTQI+ rights amid rising oppression.
The declaration coincided with International Pride Day, positioning Canada at the forefront of global LGBTQI+ solidarity.
June is a month of celebration, reflection, and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies around the world. Pride Month, as it is widely known, is a time to honor the struggles, achievements, and ongoing fight for equality and acceptance. The vibrant parades, colorful flags, and powerful speeches that define Pride Month are not just festivities—they are a testament to a resilient history and a hopeful future. But how did this celebration began?
As we know, Pride Month traces back to a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history: the Stonewall Uprising. In the early hours of June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village. Raids on LGBTQ+ establishments were common at the time, but on this particular night, the patrons decided to resist.
The raid sparked a series of spontaneous protests and clashes with law enforcement, lasting several days. This defiance against systemic oppression and discrimination is often credited with igniting the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.
Speaking to Our Correspondent, one of the participants at this year International Pride day held in Canada, a Nigerian, Afolabi Fisayo Arike said Pride month is a mirror reflecting who we are and where we belong.
She said it signifies embracing one’s identity, history, and culture and advocating for equality, visibility, and acceptance for all individuals.
Also, Oyebanji Taiwo Funmilola said the day “shapes our identity by giving us a sense of worth and belonging. It strengthens our connection to our roots, shapes how we view ourselves, and forms the basis for our confidence, strength, and authenticity”.
In the LGBTQ sense, pride refers to a deep understanding of self-acceptance, celebration, and empowerment within the queer community. When diving into pride and its importance, you embark on self-discovery and empowerment. Pride acts as a guiding light, giving us value and identity.
A Liberian, Soleade Patricia Burgess who was beaming with smiles while speaking with Our Correspondent said the day it’s a period “for events that create awareness of LGBTQ related issues and spark conversations that highlight the achievements and setbacks of the community.
In their own submission, Omolola Serah Togunwa and Adeola Mary Odumbaku said the concept of Pride Month started as a response to a police raid on a pub that was popular with members of the LGBTIA+ community in New York on June 28, 1969. These were known as the “Stonewall Riots.” Subsequently, pride marches were held in several US cities to commemorate the anniversary of the riots, and as the movement spread, it evolved into Pride Month.
Other Nigerians, Hakeem Olanrewaju Ogunbayo and Babatunde Oluwasegun Samson agreed that Pride month is about acceptance, equality, and celebrating the work of LGBTQ+ people, education in LGBTQ+ history, and raising awareness of issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community.
Pride is celebrated in many ways, from large parades with floats, music, and pageantry to protests to draw attention to the violence and inequality that LGBTQ+ people face.
The community in Nigeria is marked by challenges due to traditional beliefs and religious standards influencing negative attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals. Despite this, activists have been advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, leading to progress in acceptance and visibility. In Nigeria, there have been setbacks like the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, which continues to dampen the efforts of the queer community.
Today, Pride Month serves multiple purposes. It is a celebration of identity and community, a remembrance of those who have fought and suffered for LGBTQ+ rights, and a call to action against ongoing injustices. While significant progress has been made, the fight for equality is far from over. Issues such as transgender rights, discrimination, and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals still require urgent attention and action.
Olujide Samuel Mafe believes that Pride also offers a platform for education and awareness. Many organizations and advocates use this time to highlight the diverse experiences within the LGBTQ+ community and to promote understanding and acceptance among the broader public. Workshops, panels, and media campaigns during Pride Month provide valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs faced by LGBTQ+ people.
The 2025 International Pride Day as it’s been celebrated witnessed large turnout of Nigerians and other Africans, many of them beaming with hope and expressing happiness for the protection being enjoyed in Canada and beyond.
The roll call of participants include Afolabi Fisayo Arike, Oyebanji Taiwo Funmilola, Oladejo Gideon Olukunle, Aderogba Elijah Arowojobe and Deborah Oluwatimilehin Amusan.
Others are Omolola Serah Togunwa, Adeola Mary Odumbaku Wemimo Oladipupo, Peter Atama, Hakeem Olanrewaju Ogunbayo, Babatunde Oluwasegun Samson, Ashiru Rafiu Babatunde and Obia Chioma Uluoma.
Also in attendance are Ajayi Babatunde Peter, Oseh Happy Aigbogun, Ogunlana Temitope Kehinde, Olumide James Akindele, Soleada Patricia Burgess, a Liberian, Ezebube Aforma Joy and Sode Saheed Abiola.
Seun Segun Jegede, Olujide Samuel Mafe, Shola Yusuf Kareem and
Lamidi Sezuo Jimoh also were part of Nigerian teams that attended the year 2025 International Pride Day.
They were beaming with smiles and hope, saying that in a world where many still face persecution and discrimination for their sexual orientation or gender identity, Pride Month stands as a beacon of hope and a testament to the enduring human spirit. It is a call to remember the past, celebrate the present, and work toward a future where everyone can live openly and authentically without fear.
Their message was “As we celebrate Pride this June, let us remember the origins of this vital movement and reaffirm our commitment to a more inclusive and equitable world. Happy Pride Month!
