Happy June and happy pride month! *Throws Glitter*
During June, the LGBTQ+ community celebrates pride month with parades, music and celebrations. The community comes together and celebrates the freedom to be themselves. The origin of the month comes from the history of minorities who suffer to overcome prejudice and be accepted for who they are.
But pride month should also be celebrated by allies. Allies are people who are not part of the community but support them and stand up for them in their fight for equal rights. You shouldn’t just be an ally during pride month, but all the time.
Here are the top 5 ways to be an ally during pride month and always.
March In A Pride Parade
Parades aren’t only for those in the community. March next to your family and friends who are gay. Sometimes they don’t have anyone there to support them and they might need a hug or a hand to hold. Don’t be ashamed to walk beside them and show your support. You will probably wind up having a lot of fun while also supporting those in the LGBTQ+ community.
Buy Products From LGBTQ+ Owned Shops/Small Businesses
Hire the queer community, buy from shops that are owned by them. Sure, buying a rainbow shirt or an ally shirt is cool, but you don’t always know where that money goes to. But buying from an LGBTQ+ owned shop or small business, you know that in some small way you are supporting them, and the community and that the money is either helping them or various organizations that help LGBTQ+ youth and communities.
Be Open To Learn, Listen, And Educate Yourself
Ask people their pronouns and their orientations and if you don’t understand maybe ask for an explanation. But don’t just assume someone’s orientation or pronouns. You don’t have to understand something in order to be respectful of it. Learn about why there is a pride month and how the LGBTQ+ community struggles every day. Learn about the Stonewall Riots. Listen to your family and friends who are gay and be there to lend a shoulder or an ear.
Involve Yourself In LGBTQ+ Organizations And Causes
You have probably heard of GLSEN, GLAAD, Human Rights Campaign, The Trevor Project and more. These are all organizations and causes that donate money to LGBTQ+ youth and people to prevent bullying, etc. Either try to donate money or volunteer with the organization. You can also sign the Equality Act or other petitions that strive for equality. This petition was started by Taylor Swift and has gained enough signatures to draw attention to the U.S. government.
Stand Up To Those Who Are Discriminating
There are so many people out there who still do not understand that love is love. And no matter how you identify or who you love you should be treated equally and with respect. If you see or hear someone spouting hate, stand up for the LGBTQ+ community and educate those who are hating or tell them to treat people with kindness and love. Standing up for them and shutting down the hate is the best way to be an ally. After an ally, straight ally, or heterosexual ally is a heterosexual and cisgender person who supports equal civil rights, gender equality, and LGBT social movements, challenging homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia.
Love is love! <3