neologism
In linguistics, a neologism (; also known as a coinage) is any newly formed word, term, or phrase that has achieved popular or institutional recognition and is becoming accepted into mainstream language. Most definitively, a word can be considered ...
that generally refers to July, the month after
Pride Month
Pride Month, sometimes specified as LGBTQ Pride Month, is a List of month-long observances, month-long observance dedicated to the celebration of LGBTQ pride, commemorating the contributions of lesbian, gay, Bisexuality, bisexual, transgender a ...
. It originated as an
Internet meme
An Internet meme, or meme (, Help:Pronunciation respelling key, ''MEEM''), is a cultural item (such as an idea, behavior, or style) that spreads across the Internet, primarily through Social media, social media platforms. Internet memes manif ...
in 2018.
History
"Wrath Month" originated as a Twitter meme in 2018. The term is a play on the
seven deadly sins
The seven deadly sins (also known as the capital vices or cardinal sins) function as a grouping of major vices within the teachings of Christianity. In the standard list, the seven deadly sins according to the Catholic Church are pride, greed ...
, pride and wrath being two of them. Other Twitter users joked about highlighting months for the remaining deadly sins, including
sloth
Sloths are a Neotropical realm, Neotropical group of xenarthran mammals constituting the suborder Folivora, including the extant Arboreal locomotion, arboreal tree sloths and extinct terrestrial ground sloths. Noted for their slowness of move ...
and envy. The term came to be used in other contexts, highlighting ongoing issues for the
LGBT community
The LGBTQ community (also known as the LGBT, LGBT+, LGBTQ+, LGBTQIA, LGBTQIA+, or queer community) comprises LGBTQ people, LGBTQ individuals united by LGBTQ culture, a common culture and LGBTQ movements, social movements. These Community, comm ...
during and outside of Pride Month.
Usage and analysis
The term has been described, in part, as a response to the idea that Pride Month has become increasingly docile, where Wrath Month provides an opportunity to call attention to issues affecting LGBT acceptance and equality.John Paul Brammer, writing for '' Them.us'', introduces his piece on Wrath Month with a criticism of Pride Month's ties to
rainbow capitalism
Rainbow capitalism (also called pink capitalism, queer capitalism, homocapitalism Patrick Lenton with ''
Junkee
Junkee.com is an Australian popular culture and news website run by new media company Junkee Media. It covers various topics including film, university, food, TV, politics, travel, career, health, and Internet culture. Its target demographic is ...
'' writes that Pride Month is no longer a message of "rebellion and resistance", instead trending towards "acceptance and love". He also criticizes police forces and politicians who pander to LGBT people – only during Pride Month – for support.
Other sources depict it as a response to what ''
Out
Out or OUT may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media
Films
*Out (1957 film), ''Out'' (1957 film), a documentary short about the Hungarian Revolution of 1956
*Out (1982 film), ''Out'' (1982 film), an American film directed by Eli Hollander
*O ...
'' describes as Pride Month's "sense of comradery" dissipating after the month ends.
Wrath Month has also been used as a replacement for Pride Month, with a ''
Colorado Springs Independent
The ''Colorado Springs Independent'' (commonly referred to as ''The Independent'' or simply ''The Indy'') is a biweekly alternative newspaper in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The paper was first published in 1993, ceased in 2023, relaunched in 2024 ...
'' opinion piece drawing from the emotions of the
Stonewall riots
The Stonewall riots (also known as the Stonewall uprising, Stonewall rebellion, Stonewall revolution, or simply Stonewall) were a series of spontaneous riots and demonstrations against a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of ...
that Pride Month is intended to commemorate. The piece specifically cited solidarity with the ongoing
George Floyd protests
The George Floyd protests were a series of protests, riots, and demonstrations against police brutality that began in Minneapolis in the United States on May 26, 2020. The protests and civil unrest began in Minneapolis as Reactions to the mu ...
as one reason the LGBT community should feel angry.
In July 2022, '' Them.us'' began a series titled ''Wrath Month'', describing the month as an "unofficial celebration of LGBTQ+ anger".