Happy Pride Month! Put Some Celebration Plans on Your Calendar

Love is Love. June is Pride Month, which is all about celebrating and recognizing the LGBTQ+ community.

Whether you identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community or are an ally, there are many ways to expand your knowledge about the movement and show your support not just throughout the month of June, but all year long. Here are some great ways to celebrate Pride Month in your home, online and in your community.

Learn About LGBTQ History

Take some time this month to learn about the history of the LGBTQ+ rights movement. The annual “Christopher Street Liberation Day” started as a way to acknowledge the Stonewall Riots and remember those who took part on June 28, 1969. Police raided The Stonewall Inn in New York City, which led to six days of violent protests and demonstrations. The Stonewall Riots serve as a catalyst for the gay rights movement we know today.

Learn more about the LGBTQ community by:

  • Reading these books: “And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic” by Randy Shilts; “Love Wins: The Lovers and Lawyers Who Fought the Landmark Case for Marriage Equality” by Debbie Cenziper and Jim Obergefell; “Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches” by Audre Lorde; “A Two-Spirit Journey” by Ma-Nee Chacaby; “Burning Butch” by R/B Mertz; “Fairest: A Memoir” by Meredith Talusan; “The Argonauts” by Maggie Nelson; “Transgender History: The Roots of Today’s Revolution” by Susan Stryker; and “The Gay Revolution: The Story and the Struggle” by Lillian Faderman.
  • Viewing these movies: “The Watermelon Woman,” “Love, Simon,” “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert”, “Boys Don’t Cry”, “Tongues Untied,” “Paris is Burning,” “Milk”, and “Before Stonewall.”
  • Enjoying LGBTQ+ poetry: “Langston Blues” by Jericho Brown; “The Distant Moon” by Rafael Campo; “The Embrace” by Mark Doty; “In the Dream” by Jenny Johnson; and “Closet Space” by K-Ming Chang.
  • Viewing LGBTQ+ art: “In the Dull Village” by David Hockney; “Portrait of James Baldwin” by Beauford Delany; “Self-Portrait with Cropped Hair” by Frida Kahlo; “Two Figures” by Francis Bacon; “Radical Love” by Syrus Marcus Ware; “President Barack Obama” by Kehinde Wiley; “Sleep” by Anthony Goicolea; “Entre Nous” by Claude Cahun and “Gay Liberation” by George Segal.

Donate to LGBTQ+ Causes

The LGBTQ+ rights movement has made important strides in gaining equal rights and acceptance, but there’s still a long way to go. Many important nonprofits across the country serve the LGBTQ+ community and could benefit from your monetary donations. Skip a couple of lunches out and donate the savings in honor of Pride Month. Choose from a handful of our favorite ones or find a local or regional one that has a presence in your community.

  • The Trevor Project: Your donation can fund suicide prevention, training for healthcare professionals, and healthcare opportunities for the members of the LGBTQ+ community.
  • Human Rights Campaign: The Human Rights Campaign envisions a world where every member of the LGBTQ+ family has the freedom to live their truth without fear, and with equality under the law.
  • The Point Foundation: This nonprofit works diligently to make high schools and colleges more accepting and welcoming to members of the LGBTQ community.
  • Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders: The mission of SAGE is to lead in addressing issues related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) aging.
  • Out and Equal: Making sure every workplace treats the queer community equally and fairly is this nonprofit’s goal, by offering training to Human Resources professionals.
  • It Gets Better Project: It’s challenging to come out, no matter what the circumstances may be. This charity focuses on telling and re-telling LGBTQ members’ stories, so others can relate and not feel alone.
  • Ali Forney Center: This nonprofit is a homeless center for LGBTQ+ youth. It provides beds, warm meals, medical care, and mental health services.

Volunteer to Help the LGBTQ+ Community

If you prefer to be physically involved in giving, find a place locally to volunteer. From LGBTQ+ teens and young adults to families and seniors, there’s sure to be a place where your efforts will make a big difference. Donate your time to serving meals, organizing events, driving them to the doctor, answering phones, or assisting in online fundraising efforts. An extra pair of hands is always welcome.

Post on Social Media

Show your support by adding your voice to the online conversation during Pride Month. Like some LGBTQ+ pages, post photos, share others’ posts, and add a frame around your profile picture showing your support. Make sure you add relevant hashtags, so your posts reach as many people as possible. The most popular ones are #pridemonth, #lgbtqpride, #pride, #loveislove, #lovewins, #lgbtq, #gay #equality and #instagay.

Support the LGBTQ+ Community Even After Pride Month Ends

Yes, June is designated as Pride Month, but your acknowledgement and efforts for the community don’t have to end once July rolls around. The injustices and prejudices the community faces are being battled all year long. Celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community even after Pride month ends. Stay involved in the conversation and efforts to maintain and further the progress the LBGTQ+ community has forged for itself.