[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]June sparks awareness for LGBT Pride, Safety, Gun Violence, the Environment and a host of summertime fun. Due to COVID-19 and social distancing, many of our awareness and summer fun celebrations are now virtual. The colorful month marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. It is the month to celebrate the official onset of Summer, Fathers and summer virtual fun. Here are June awareness highlights.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”7609″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]NATIONAL GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS DAY (June 5) Go Orange And End Gun Violence 

National Gun Violence Awareness Day is a call to wear orange to raise awareness of our nation’s gun violence crisis, which reflects and intensifies long-standing racial inequities in America. Black Americans are 10x more likely to die by homicide than white Americans.

The effect of gun violence on our communities impacts everyone uniquely. Wear Orange brings together a broad spectrum of organizations, brands, and influencers working in different ways to curb gun violence.

On June 5, 2020, hundreds of influencers, corporate partners, non-profit partners, landmarks, and elected officials participated in the Wear Orange campaign for National Gun Violence Awareness Day. It is the kick-off to Wear Orange Weekend. #wearorange[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”7607″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY (June 5)World Environment Day is the biggest annual event for positive environmental action. It is held annually on June 5th. The Day offers a global platform for inspiring positive change and recognizes that global change requires a global community. The theme is always selected by the host country who is Columbia in partnership with Germany in 2020.

The 2020 Theme is Biodiversity–a concern that is both urgent and existential. Recent events, from bush fires in Brazil, the United States and Australia to locust infestations across East Africa–and now, a global disease pandemic–demonstrate the interdependence of humans and the webs of life in which they exist. Nature is sending us a message.  #ForNature[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”7611″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH — The National Safety Council focuses on reducing leading causes of injury and death at work, on the road and in our homes and communities each June. Now, more than ever, safety is crucial both inside and outside the workplace, Thousands of organizations work together annually to raise awareness on what it takes to keep each other safe.

Given the current state of the world, the month will look a little different than past years. Instead of focusing on a single topic each week, the safety organization will provide real-time, relevant resources on a variety of topics for keeping workers safe in our new normal. Check the website for real-time events: nationalsafetycouncil.org  #nationalsafetymonth[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”3031″ img_size=”LARGE” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]NATIONAL SMILE MONTH – is an awareness campaign about championing the benefits of having good oral health and promoting the value of a healthy smile. It runs annually between May 18 and June 18 hosted by the Oral Health Foundation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”6139″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]GAY AND LESBIAN PRIDE MONTH (LGBT) – a/k/a Gay, Lesbian, Sexual and Transgender Pride Month. June 2020 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. The global pandemic has turned our world upside down and organizers of large scale movements and awareness events have moved to virtual celebrations. Each city holds its own festivities and selects its own themes and dates to celebrate. You can find pride parades, marches, picnics, parties, memorials for those lost from HIV and AIDS, and other group gathering events that attract countless thousands of individuals. Three of the biggest cities — New York City, Chicago and San Francisco are all holding most events virtually this year; parades and/or marches still pending in some cities. Check your local community listings or the Pride Events website for LGBT Pride events happening near you.

Gay Pride or LGBT Pride is a worldwide movement asserting that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity. The three main messages are: (1) people should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity; (2) sexual diversity is a gift, and (3) sexual orientation and gender identity are inherent and cannot be intentionally altered.

June was chosen to remember the 1969 riot at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar on famed Christopher Street in Manhattan. On June 28,1970, the first march commemorating the anniversary of the riot took place in NYC – the first of its kind in the United States. Many claim that the Stonewall Inn Riot marked the beginning of the gay liberation movement in the US.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”7084″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]FATHER’S DAY – Perhaps the biggest festival of all – paying homage to Dads everywhere. Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads around the world! Enjoy!

June’s offerings do run the gamut from important cause events to Summer time virtual festivals and family fun. Whether partaking physically or virtually – the result is the same. They are all Socially Sparked® with the same message and impact.  Happy June! – We are #SociallySparked! Tweet @sosparkednews
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