Pride Month: Why It Still Matters – Through the Lens of PCT

Every June, cities around the world explode with colour, celebration, and solidarity as Pride Month takes centre stage. What began as a courageous protest following the Stonewall Riots in 1969 has grown into a global movement—an assertion of identity, dignity, and rights for LGBTQ+ people everywhere.

Yet despite the parades, hashtags, and corporate rainbows, the question still arises: Does Pride Month still matter? The answer is a resounding yes—and surprisingly, psychology offers a powerful lens through which to understand why. Let’s talk about Perceptual Control Theory (PCT).

What is Pride Month Really About?

Pride Month is far more than a celebration—it’s a reminder. It’s a time to honour the progress made and to reflect on the battles still being fought, both outwardly in society and inwardly within ourselves. From laws around marriage and healthcare to the freedom to simply exist without fear, Pride is a living testament to resilience.

Enter: Perceptual Control Theory (PCT)

Perceptual Control Theory, developed by William T. Powers, is a psychological theory that views behaviour not as a direct response to stimuli, but as a means of controlling perception. In simple terms: we behave in ways that maintain or restore the state of the world as we want to see it.

Each of us holds reference values—internal goals or ideals—that guide our perception of how the world should be. When our lived experience doesn’t match that internal vision, we experience distress and act to reduce the mismatch.

For LGBTQ+ individuals, this mismatch can be profound. If someone’s reference value includes being accepted, seen, or safe in expressing their identity—but society offers judgment, erasure, or danger—then PCT tells us they’ll experience intense internal conflict. Their behaviours, whether it’s activism, coming out, or simply seeking community, are all aimed at regaining that internal equilibrium.

Why Pride Still Matters

Viewed through the PCT framework, Pride Month is not just a public spectacle—it’s a collective act of perceptual control. It allows LGBTQ+ people to recalibrate their reality to better align with their internal values. It provides visibility, affirmation, and solidarity—a counterbalance to marginalisation.

Here’s why Pride is still vital:

• Visibility challenges outdated perceptions – By showing up, LGBTQ+ people reshape cultural norms and reduce the gap between how the world is and how it should be.

• Community restores agency – Belonging to a supportive group helps individuals gain more control over their own narratives.

• Advocacy addresses systemic mismatch – Fighting for equal rights and protections aligns external policies with internal reference values of fairness and justice.

The Ongoing Work

While rainbows and festivals are joyful, the core of Pride remains serious. Homophobia, transphobia, and systemic inequality still affect millions. Mental health disparities, unsafe environments, and exclusion from healthcare or education are daily reminders that the match between perception and ideal is far from complete.

That’s why Pride matters—not just in June, but every day. It’s a mechanism for healing, empowerment, and progress. It’s a living example of Perceptual Control Theory in action.

Pride is protest. Pride is joy. Pride is control.

And as long as LGBTQ+ people are forced to fight for a reality that honours who they are, Pride will continue to matter. Through the lens of PCT, we don’t just see the why of Pride—we understand the need.

This June, may we celebrate with colour, reflect with compassion, and continue to push for a world where perception and reality finally align.

If you need someone to talk to about how you are feeling as you struggle with your identity, book an assessment with us today.