June is a flippin’ empowering month if you ask us. It is declared and celebrated as Pride Month. Pride is an annual global celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and culture- empowering the LGBTQ+ people, uplifting their voices, and taking down discrimination. In many places, there is still work to be done.
Although it can sometimes feel like we are going backward, there are remarkable activities and initiatives that various organizations all around the globe lined up to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and raise awareness on the issues of discrimination, and promote love, acceptance, and equality. But as individuals, what can we do to celebrate Pride Month? One way is to be a better ally. Here, we’ve helpfully rounded up for you plenty of ways to be a better ally to the LGBTQ+ community to celebrate Pride!
Support and be proud of your own LGBTQ+ friends and family
Human rights, equality, and acceptance begin at home, and a lot of times, the reason why most the LGBTQ+ people are afraid to speak up; why they can’t be honest; and why they feel like they have no voice- which is an awful feeling to have, is because they lack support from their own family and friends. If you don’t belong to the LGBTQ+ community but have friends or family members who do, it is important to let them know and make them feel they are supported and accepted. It truly empowers them to be authentic and be themselves. Don’t just sit idly by, be a better ally and show how proud you are of them.
Educate yourself by reading books and listening to podcasts
Educating yourself on concepts, self-identified terminologies, and pronoun use, normalizing them by using them yourself, and learning about Pride history, and the LGBTQ+ community and culture are great starting points. There are a lot of essential books and podcasts that you can explore to understand and honor the journey and experience of LGBTQ+ people. Some of the highly recommended books are Tomorrow Will be by Sarah McBride, The Stonewall Reader by New York Public Library and Jason Baumann, and Stonewall by Martin Duberman. You can find more good picks here: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/g27814264/best-gay-lgbt-books/
Support an LGBT+ non-profit organization
Another way to be a better ally is to support LGBTQ+ non-profit organizations and help them thrive. The people behind these organizations are normally advocates of equality and are genuine allies. By supporting them, you help promote and ensure the well-being and safety of the LGBTQ+ community.
Brush up on current issues of discrimination, and take action
Stay in the loop and brush up on your knowledge about current issues especially issues on discrimination and violence, ask questions, and do your research. Take action by confronting people who make homophobic and transphobic remarks; engaging in healthy conversations with your friends, workmates, and other people in your community; and sharing factual information and spreading awareness on social media. These may help change hearts and minds
Every human- no matter how we identify ourselves, has the same inherent right. LGBTQ+ community and their human rights matter. Always listen for and respect how people identify themselves. Show up for one another when it counts. More importantly, be kind and just be a good person. It’s really not that difficult. Share this article and join us in celebrating Pride Month!