Demi Lovato, Janelle Monáe, Elmo, more stars celebrate Pride 2023

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Stars are celebrating and delivering pertinent messages about the LGBTQ community during Pride Month.

The month commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York and celebrates the LGBTQ community and the fight for equal rights.

The Stonewall Uprising began on June 28, 1969, when police raided the Stonewall Inn, a prominent gay bar in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. The subsequent protests over the next six days are credited with a shift in LGBTQ activism in the U.S.

This year’s celebration comes during an uptick in the number of states that grew more hostile to the LGBTQ+ community, according to the 2023 Out Leadership State LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index report shared exclusively with USA TODAY.

“As a nonbinary queer person, I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of this community that is the epitome of resilience, excellence and joy,” Demi Lovato wrote on Instagram on Thursday to kick off the month. “And for any and everyone navigating their sexual orientation and gender journey, know that you are all extraordinary and exactly who you’re supposed to be. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

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Here are how other stars are celebrating Pride.

JoJo Siwa kicks off Pride Month with 3 words

JoJo Siwa, who came out in 2021, celebrated the month of Pride with a photo of herself wearing rainbow Crayola makeup and a reminder of three words that represent Pride to her: Love, acceptance and celebration.

“We really only get one life. love who YOU want to love, be with who is right for you, and spend time with people that make you feel like the most special person in the world, because you are,” Siwa wrote on Instagram. “HAPPY PRIDE MONTH.”

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Ariana DeBose celebrates Pride with Elmo

“West Side Story” actress DeBose celebrated Pride on the iconic set of “Sesame Street” along with her furry friend, Elmo.

“Everyone is always welcome on Sesame Street. This month and every month we want to uplift and celebrate our LGBTQIA+ family, friends and communities,” DeBose said on an Instagram reel Thursday.

“Happy Pride! Elmo loves you,” the furry red muppet added.

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Janelle Monáe shares an affirmation to celebrate Pride

Ahead of the release of their new album, Monáe shared a clip of themselves reading an affirmation to radio host Angie Martinez to kick off Pride Month.

“As we celebrate ourselves and each other on our journey, here is an affirmation I wanna share that has helped me tap more and more into my well of freedom,” Monáe wrote on Instagram Thursday. “And a reminder to release the pressure to be anything other than who and where you are in your journey. I love you!”

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