:rainbow: Pride in REA :rainbow:

🏳‍ :rainbow: 🏳‍⚧ Greetings, Residents, and, happy Pride! 🏳‍⚧🏳‍ :rainbow:

:rainbow: With June comes Pride, our most colorful celebration here in REA! Both staff and the community come together to be at our loudest and proudest for the entirety of June! We celebrate in many ways, such as the annual challenge and monthly chat. But, first, let's talk about why pride is so important.

🏳‍ :rainbow: 🏳‍⚧ What is Pride, and, why do we celebrate it here in REA? 🏳‍⚧🏳‍ :rainbow:

:rainbow: Pride is a celebration and recognition of LGBT+ individuals around the world, their culture, identities, and history. Pride establishes a sense of equality, dignity, community, solidarity, and the recognition of the importance of intersectionality. It is also a time to stand against hatred, bigotry, discrimination, and injustice.

:rainbow: While gay marriage may be legal in many places around the world, this is not the case for all nations. In many places, LGBT+ rights are suppressed. And, even being LGBT+ in and of itself may be illegal. And, even in places where gay marriage has been legalized, there exist many social and legal roadblocks, such as a adoptions and workplace discrimination.

:rainbow: It is also important to recognize that now is a very turbulent time for LGBT+ rights in the United States and in many other parts of the world. In the face of an uncertain future, it is more important than ever for us to celebrate Pride and the lives of LGBT+ individuals. For hope is the greatest weapon that can be held against fear.

:rainbow: Pride Month takes places in June in recognition of the Stonewall Riots that took places in June 1969, from the 28th of June to the July 3rd. At Stonewall, Marsha P. Johnson and many other fought bravely against police brutality and for gay rights. If you want to learn more about Stonewall, you can read an article here.

🏳‍ :rainbow: 🏳‍⚧ You are Safe to Celebrate Yourself in Resident Evil Amino! 🏳‍⚧🏳‍ :rainbow:

:rainbow: In REA we welcome people from all walks of life, identities, and sexualities. You are safe here. There is a zero-tolerance policy for any hate speech, bigotry, and discrimination.

:rainbow: Pride is when REA is at its loudest and proudest! But, never be afraid to post LBGT+ works year round! REA Staff loves to see what you have created! Taking pride in who you are doesn't start and end in June. So, please don't be afraid to show your colors year round in REA!

:rainbow: Once again, our General Chat has been decorated for Pride! Don't be shy and hop in to chat with fellow LGBT+ and allies!

:rainbow: For the past few years, we have offered free pronoun titles for the month of June. We have done this to emphasize the importance of normalizing the usage of people's preferred pronouns, be they LGBT+ or an ally. We will do this once again this year. For more information, you can read this post.

:rainbow: This years Pride Challenge, Mini Challenge, and the new Pride Parade Challenge are now open! You can check them out here!