Pride Month is an annual celebration that takes place every June to honor the LGBTQ+ community and commemorate the Stonewall Uprising. The month not only marks a significant turning point in LGBTQ+ rights, but also encourages people to come together to celebrate love and diversity while continuing to make progress towards equality.
We’ve come a long way, and yet — there is still such a long way to go.
Pride, of course, is so much more than just 30 days in June. And now, more than ever, it’s important that we celebrate each and every day.
Here are a few ways you can keep the spirit of Pride with you 365 days a year and continue to become an active ally for all:
1. Find Ways to Practice Daily Acts of Pride
Being an ally isn’t a once-in-a-while thing, it’s an everyday thing. So how are you showing up? You will find me rockin’ my favorite pride t-shirts year-round. I have small pride pins that I put on whatever bag I’m using in the moment, so if ever needed — even a stranger could find a friend in the crowd. My husband and I have a small desktop Pride flag displayed year-round in our home — so that whether you come to visit through our front door or via virtual work meetings, you know you’re in a safe space. I am also constantly in search of new creators, artists, and educators to learn from and support throughout the year.
Know that what may feel like ‘small’ ways to show up, are oftentimes some of the biggest ways we can continue to celebrate Pride and support the LGBTQ+ community.
2. Education and Awareness
Never stop learning. It’s easy to honor a day or month by reading a book, seeking out new sources to learn from, and sharing that knowledge when the conversations are ‘trending’ — but what about the rest of the days and months? Keep your education (and those conversations) going!
Take inventory on who you’re following on social media platforms — who else could you be learning from? Staying informed on LGBTQ+ issues and history, as well as sharing what you’ve learned with your family and friends, will help to foster understanding, empathy, and awareness on the importance of LBGTQ+ rights.
Here are a few resources to help you get started: GLAAD | Human Rights Campaign | Out & Equal
3. Community Involvement
Early in my allyship journey, I struggled with learning how to best be involved — I was, like many, afraid of simply ‘doing it wrong’ and thought it might be better for everyone if I stayed quietly on the sidelines. Here’s what I can tell you almost a decade later — we’re all going to ‘do it wrong’ at some point and staying on the sidelines (and quiet!) was the worst thing I could’ve done.
Don’t be afraid to participate in local LGBTQ+ events (keeping in mind that not all Pride events happen in June — Orlando’s Pride Parade, for example, is every October) and volunteer or donate to organizations that support the community. I promise you; you will never see anything more beautiful than your community’s Pride parade or organizations rallying around LGBTQ+ youth or Drag Queens.
Here are a few to consider: The Trevor Project | Zebra Youth | Trans Lifeline | Drag Story Hour
Bonus points if you’re able to set up a monthly donation to an organization, and don’t forget to check and see if your company matches donations. These go a long way in helping non-profits.
4. Advocacy and Activism
This one can sometimes feel a bit advanced — but it’s so crucial, especially in this moment. ‘Ally’ isn’t just a title you bestow upon yourself. Allyship, to its core, is a verb. It requires taking action. It is not just something you are, but something YOU DO — and frequently.
Learn the best ways to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in your community. Share on social media. Support LGBTQ+ artists, businesses, authors, and beyond. Never stop talking about the importance of LGBTQ+ rights. And, I’ll take it a step further — show up at the polls in November.[CS1]
5. Celebrate Diversity in All Forms
I have always considered myself an ally. It wasn’t until my community in Orlando was rocked by the Pulse Nightclub shooting in June 2016, however, that I realized I need to make a huge change. Being an ally just wasn’t enough — I needed to be an ACTIVE ally. I needed the world to know who I was, how I was going to show up, and that I was proud to be a sliver of such a stunningly beautiful community.
If you needed a big sister; I was going to be here for you, and everyone was going to know it.
As my journey and education progressed, it dawned on me that it wasn’t just the LGBTQ+ community that I was an ally for — but that I truly wanted to be an active ally for all. So, this work that was sparked by tragedy, a hard look in the mirror, and the desire to be better than I was the day before so that everyone would know they are loved and accepted — also became my template for how I show up across humanity.
It isn’t perfect. There isn’t a linear “right” way. Allyship isn’t a checklist. It takes work and effort. I still stumble. I do not know all the answers.
But that’s also the beauty of it — we have each other to learn from, grow alongside, and support.
How will you continue to show up and keep Pride with you all through the year?
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