How to Celebrate Pride as an Ally

Pride

June 1st marks the beginning of Pride Month – a time dedicated to the recognition and celebration of LGBTQIA+ voices, stories, and history. This celebration originated in June of 1970 as a commemoration of the Stonewall Riots. It’s celebrated across the United States as a joyous tribute to LGBTQIA+ trailblazers and activists.

Lively parades and parties with participants decked out in their brightest rainbow attire are Pride staples, but there are more ways you can celebrate as an ally!

More Ways to Celebrate Pride: Stay Educated

Being an active ally starts with education. Knowing the historical roots of LGBTQIA+ oppression is as important as staying up to date on current human rights issues.

Read literature such as “The Gay Revolution: The Story of the Struggle” by Lillian Faderman; “Love Wins: The Lovers and Lawyers Who Fought the Landmark Case for Marriage Equality” by Debbie Cenziper and Jim Obergefell; and “Transgender History: The Roots of Today’s Revolution” by Susan Stryker to get your learning journey started.

Listen to podcasts like LGBTQ&A hosted by Jeffrey Masters and Making Gay History hosted by Eric Marcus. These will give you a glimpse into the modern gay experience and the long history of resistance and the fight for equality.

Support LGBTQIA+ Changemakers and Creators

While the presence of LGBTQIA+  figures in modern media is increasing, the lack of representation in film and television is astounding. This makes the role of LGBTQIA+ creators on other platforms that much more influential.

Follow social media activists like Ericka Hart and Maya / Sebastian Noir and influencers raising awareness for the LGBTQIA+ experience like Gabi & Shanna.

Pride month is also the perfect time to diversify the music you love and the artists you support. Listen to Spotify’s Pride playlist, curated with the best tunes to celebrate and highlight talented LGBTQIA+ creators. This includes Hayley Kioko, Lil Nas X, Mitski, and more. Stream up-and-coming LGBTQIA+ musicians too like Merlot, Zolita, and Leland.

Extend your support by adding some LGBTQIA+-owned businesses to your online shopping repertoire. You can take a look at Presently’s Most Giftable of 2021 which spotlights over 200 businesses. These are LGBTQIA+, female, BIPOC, and Black-owned businesses that are sustainable/ethically sourced, handpicked, and approved by our team.

Attend a Rally

A super easy and fun way to show your allyship during Pride month is to attend a virtual or in-person rally. Gather with family, friends, and strangers to cheer for love, acceptance, and legal action in support of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Wear your Pride gear (the brighter the better) and make a sign to amplify your voice. If you’re looking for inspiration, see Bustle’s Best Pride Signs. Many cities are also holding virtual pride events and rallies this year. If you’re not near a city, partner with members of your community to host your own event!

Include Activism in your Daily Life

More than the rallies, following, and streaming, being an active ally extends into your everyday life. Talk to friends, family, and loved ones about your views in support of the LGBTQIA+ community. Facilitate conversations with those close to you about the research and work done by LGBTQIA+ activists.

Share your own beliefs, but be sure to not center the conversation around yourself. Being an ally means using your privilege to amplify the voices of marginalized groups, not replacing them. Read The Trevor Project’s tips for facilitating conversations regarding race and LGBTQIA+ identity that can be applied to discussions on a variety of topics.

Another impactful way to include activism in your daily life is to stay updated on current laws affecting the LGBTQIA+ community and vote to advance their legal human rights. Your vote is an extension of your voice. See the ACLU’s active list of legislations to get started.

Treat Every Month like Pride Month

While we hope these tips teach you how to celebrate Pride Month this year, make sure your activism and support towards the LGBTQIA+ community extend past June.

Continue to educate yourself on current issues and their historical roots. Support LGBTQIA+ creators and changemakers paving the way for younger generations. Keep having conversations with family and friends about the need for equality.

Donate to organizations that support the LGBTQIA+ community like OutRight Action International and The Trevor Project, and use Presently’s group gifting platform to make collecting the funds simple.

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