Why Don’t I Get My Own Month?
Every year, February marks Black History Month, March celebrates Women’s History Month, and June is Pride Month for the LGBTQ+ community. There’s also Hispanic Heritage Month and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month - among others. I’ve been teaching multicultural education courses off and on for the last seven or so years and every now and then, someone asks (more often I overhear), “Why isn’t there a Straight Pride Month?” What about a “White History Month?” I think we need to talk about why special history months exist, why there’s not designated “straight month”, and why it’s not a bad thing.
Question 1: Why do certain groups have a history month?
The short answer…because their histories were often ignored, erased, or downplayed. For much of U.S. history, textbooks, media, and public celebrations focused on the achievements of white, straight men - often overlooking the contributions of Black people, women, LGBTQ+ people, Indigenous communities, and other marginalized groups. These history months exist not to give extra recognition but to correct historical gaps and celebrate contributions that have been left out for decades.
Some examples to consider:
Black History Month (February) exists because Black contributions to history were often excluded from mainstream education. Carter G. Woodson started it as “Negro History Week” in 1926 to ensure that Black Americans’ impact on history wasn’t forgotten.
Women’s History Month (March) was created because women’s achievements in politics, science, and the arts were frequently downplayed or dismissed.
Pride Month (June) honors LGBTQ+ history, including the Stonewall Uprising of 1969, when LGBTQ+ fought back against police harassment at a time when being openly gay was criminalized.
These months don’t exclude anyone - they exist to ensure that everyone’s history is acknowledged, not just the dominant narratives.
Question 2: Why isn’t there a straight or white history month?
Again, the short answer…because history already includes and recognizes straight and white people all year long. Straight people have never been erased from history books or denied rights because of their sexuality. The same goes for white history - white people have always been prominently featured in mainstream historical narratives. That doesn’t mean, though, that straight or white people haven’t made significant contributions to history - they have, for sure! But those contributions have always been taught and celebrated without needing a special month to make space for them.
Question 3: What do I say when someone asks?
Fair question - especially if someone doesn’t understand the history behind these observations. Maybe try “Pride Month isn’t about celebrating being gay - it’s about honoring the LGBTQ+ community’s fight for rights and visibility. Straight people never had to for the right to marry, to be recognized, or to live openly without discrimination. That’s why there’s not need for a ‘straight pride month.’”
If someone asks why there’s no White History Month, try “White history is already embedded in what we learn all year long. Black History Month and other heritage months exist to highlight stories that were ignored or downplayed for centuries.”
The key message? Recognizing one group’s history doesn’t take away from another’s. History months like Black History Month, Pride Month, and the others do not exist to divide people, but to include stories that were overlooked in the past. Instead of asking ‘Why don’t I have a month?’, a better question might be “How can I learn from and support the stories being shared during these months?”
Isn’t our history richer when we include everyone?
And one more thing: Why can you fly a Pride flag in your classroom and not a Black Lives Matter flag in your classroom? Some would say that since both can be seen as symbols of inclusion - wouldn’t that be a double standard? The Pride flag is most often considered a symbol of inclusion and identity, and it represents LGBTQ+ students, teachers, allies, reinforcing that your classroom is a safe space where everyone is welcome, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. The Black Lives Matter started as a movement for racial justice and is often seen as a political movement rather than a statement of inclusion. Ultimately, schools set policies based on how they define inclusion versus activism. Maybe some districts allow both flags to be displayed as part of their commitment to diversity, while others ban them to avoid controversy. Maybe it’s best to ask for forgiveness rather than permission.