my original argument was that they don't need all these parades and months and stuff, but telling me these things happen to gay people doesn't change the fact that parades aren't going to change the mind of extremely bigoted people
pride celebrations/months change the public perception of gay people. in particular, they sway the politically centrist people who weren't really sure what they think about LGBT, which creates a social pressure for the more extreme people to be less extreme.
they're also an opportunity for solidarity in the face of this bigotry
Black history month has nothing to do with the oppression of african americans. Also, a culture from a lifestyle? wat? if it were about the suffering of black people we'd have a jewish and irish history months too.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_American_Heritage_MonthThe oppression of the Irish doesn't seem to have affected the Irish population in a way that the effects are still seen today. They seem to be socioeconomically average and their culture is respected.