The growing number of Pride Month events is another sign of the waning of the pandemic. Social distancing and mask wearing is on the decline, and people are gathering in signs of celebration, support and unity. New Paltz had its Pride parade and celebration on Sunday. The New York City Pride march, meanwhile, returns on June 26.

The month of June is observed as Pride Month throughout the world. It is a time when members of the LGBT community mark their struggle for acceptance and celebrate the freedom to be themselves. Some themes for the observance include “Love Will Keep Us Together” in San Francisco, and “We’re Still Here” in Seattle.

Pride month has evolved from a riot at a gay bar to a celebration marked by colorful demonstrations of diversity and originality. It’s not all about rainbow flags and drag queens, however.

There remains a need to bring awareness of the staggering number of hate crimes committed annually against members of the LGBT community. The Human Rights Campaign (hrc.org) reports that at least 14 transgender people have been killed thus far in 2022. The number could be higher, as many of these crimes are either unreported, or misreported, and not characterized as hate crimes.

Their stories are listed on the organization’s website which reminds us that these victims, like all of us, are loving partners, parents, family members, friends and community members. They worked, went to school and attended houses of worship. They were real people — people who did not deserve to have their lives taken from them. Particularly vulnerable, among them, are transgender women of color.

There is more to be done after the rainbow flags disappear at the end of the month. Visit hrc.org or support the work of local organizations like the Newburgh LGBT center (newburghlgbtqcenter.org) if you’d like to help.