As we enter the month of June, it is time to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month. This month is a celebration of openness, acceptance, and self-love, all of which are important to a healthy mindset. Whether you identify as LGBTQ+ or want to act as an ally, there are so many ways you can celebrate and raise awareness. Keep reading below for 5 ways you can celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
Before deciding which ways you want to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month, is important to think about where you currently stand. We are all at a different place in where we stand with the LGBTQ+ community. Some of you may identify as LGBTQ+. On the other hand, some of you may not have a strong understanding of it at all. And then some of you may fall in between, where you have close friends or family who identify as LGBTQ+. Wherever you stand, the fact that you have landed here wanting to learn more and celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride is an amazing step!
The below 5 ways you can celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month include steps that anyone can and should take, regardless of familiarity with the LGBTQ+ community. While this is in honor of pride month, these are steps that you can continue to take throughout the year. Pride month is just a reminder to start.
5 Ways to Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month
1. Get informed.
If you have self-assessed and realized that you do not have a strong understanding of the LGBTQ+ community, now is the perfect time to change that. If you do feel you have a strong understanding, it is a perfect time to refresh and listen to personal stories.
While I identify as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community, I will not pretend that I am an expert. I continue striving to learn more about it through resources created by experts and listening to personal stories. One of my go-to resources for learning is The Trevor Project’s Resource Center. The Trevor Project is an American non-profit organization with a mission to prevent suicide among LGBTQ+ youth. Through this resource center, you can discover articles on gender identity, sexual orientation, how to support and approach conversations with someone who identifies as LGBTQ+, and so much more. If you take the time to read even just one, it may make a big impact in your understanding and sensitivity.
2. Attend a Pride Parade.
Because I have worked in New York City, I have been lucky to march in the biggest pride parade in the United States – The New York City Pride Parade! Each time I attended, it was an event full of spirit, support, and FUN! For this reason, I cannot recommend it enough to attend a pride parade in celebration of Pride Month. While there are a few major cities across the United States known for their large-scale pride parades, there are smaller scale, local parades across every state. See if there is a local pride parade near you, and check how you can attend or support!
3. Volunteer or donate.
I am a strong believer that one of the most beautiful ways to give is through giving your time. This is because time is such a precious resource! Taking the time out of your day to volunteer is so meaningful. It can also be a great bonding activity to involve people you love. If you can’t make the time but wish you could, make a donation to a LGBTQ+ nonprofit so that those who have spare time can help. Any donation, however small, can make an impact.
For a list of LGBTQ+ charities you can support through time or donations, see Cosmopolitan’s The Best LGBTQ+ Charities to Support With $$$ and Love This Pride Month.
4. Show your support through social media.
Social media is highly criticized when it comes to activism, as creating a post without further action does not typically lead to change. However, creating a post in allyship with the LGBTQ+ community shows support that can make a difference. Here’s an example. Think about someone who identifies as LGBTQ+ but has not told anyone about it. They may be afraid of judgement. If you create a social media post in genuine support of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, they will know they have at least one ally.
5. Speak up.
While this may seem like the simplest action, it usually is not. But, it is an action that should absolutely be taken year-round. If you hear someone discussing the LGBTQ+ community with insensitivity, speak up. You never know who may be listening and finding loneliness in their words. Sometimes a “joke” is not really a joke, and it is important to recognize that.
Speaking up can be as simple and non-confrontational as saying: “That seemed insensitive. Did you mean it that way?” This will give the speaker an opportunity to correct their words, leaving everyone in a better place after. If the speaker does not correct their words, you can politely let them know that you don’t find it funny. If you have a chance for a private conversation, it can be a great opportunity to help educate them.