People can be Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Intersex (LGBTI) but other things also, and they’re not solely defined by their sexuality. “We could paint a better world, if we learned how to see it from all perspectives… because diversity is strength. Difference is a teacher. Fear difference and you learn nothing.” “Gay rights cannot be won in court rooms, but in the hearts and the minds of the people.” You could say increasing visibility is an important first step. Hanging these flags is only a first step — it's far from a solution to a pervasive societal issue. And homophobia creates a culture of hatred. Sadly, in Madagascar, homosexuality is still a taboo. LGBTI persons continue to face the threat of violence and societal discrimination. Maybe it is caused by other LGBTI people’s behavior. Because some don’t show a good image, instead, they do “unclassy” actions so the society generalizes all the LGBTI people as “vulgar”, “shameful”. But it might just be the culture and religion that cause that. “Shame on you”, “It’s unnatural”, “It’s an abomination,” says others, their vitriol most likely motivated by their cultural and religious beliefs. The fact is that Malagasy beliefs are still in conflict with legal rights. Some socially conservative voices consider LGBTI people as a “threat to the tradition”. Some people would kill LGBTI people because of who they are or who they love, believing that they are doing “religious obligations”. Some say “Pride month is harmful for kids” because they think it is contagious like flu. People care way too much about things that do not affect them. Some LGBTI people in Madagascar face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. The law in Madagascar does not outlaw discrimination with regard to sexual orientation or gender identity. The LGBT community is not safe, and there are no laws to protect them/us here. Protesting, marching, fighting for protection and our rights might seem violent and/or seem like spreading the LGBT virus to them. So how could we do a parade and celebrate Pride month in a country full of close-minded people? Hopefully someday this will be a non-issue, but for now do what you need to do to make sure you remain safe.

Pride Month honors the Stonewall Riots of 1969, an important turning point for the LGBT community in the United States. These riots began after police raided a club called the Stonewall Inn for violations, angering the LGBT community who felt targeted by the police. What started as a one-day celebration and remembrance grew into a whole month filled with parades and other events to bring people together regardless of sexuality or gender identity. While the month of June is designated to celebrate, celebrations or recognition of LGBT history do not have to be restricted to this month. Pride month should foster positive attitude and acceptance which of course needs to persist. Inclusivity should not be limited to a single month every year, and treating people with respect and an open mind is something to be practiced all the time. Pride matters to all the people fighting for protections that still aren’t guaranteed to all L.G.B.T.Q. people. Pride should open its arms to all who find it comforting, uplifting or empowering.

Celebrating Pride Month offers us the opportunity to reflect, to love, and to protest. It reminds us that there’s a whole community of LGBTI+ folks and allies who have our back. Despite all of the efforts to raise awareness and education there's still a palpable anti-LGBTQ sentiment that many students, alumni or townspeople may possess and so for the borough to have a statement of support like this is important.

The LGBT community and LGBT Pride Month have become synonymous with the rainbow flag. The flag was designed in 1978 with each color representing a different concept such as harmony and healing which should always be adopted.

Sexual orientation and gender identity are not widely discussed in Madagascar, with public attitudes ranging from tacit acceptance to violent rejection. Only married, heterosexual couples may adopt children in Madagascar; while adopting a child should be a right, and everyone has the right to have kids. In recent years, awareness of “gay pride” increased through positive media exposure, but general attitudes have not changed. So many LGBT people in Madagascar live their life in secret by keeping their identity hidden from those closest to them. A number of people in Antananarivo have a wife and kids who are unaware of their sexuality, but at the same time, many families and communities are becoming increasingly accepting. In any society where there could be a threat of violence or discrimination, having a safe space to socialize is important, especially because some members of the association have a wife and kids who aren’t aware of their sexuality. Having that sanctuary space to speak with others who are perhaps going through similar things and to share their stories is really important. On public Facebook forums, like in public places, they don’t show any signs that may reveal their sexual orientation. As in much of Africa, it isn’t socially acceptable to be gay in Madagascar, though it isn’t illegal either (which it is in much of Africa). Every day it should be celebrated. It is a very hard thing when society doesn’t understand you and you get very clear images that you’re not loved by everyone