Hello, hello. If you are reading this, it is either because you are a member of the LGBT community, an LGBT ally, or someone who wants to educate themselves on the LGBT community and learn more on how to be supportive both during and after pride month.

Before I get ahead of myself, when is Pride month, and what does the word pride mean when talking about the LGBT community? Pride in the LGBT community is defined as “the promotion of the self-affirmation, dignity, equality, and increased visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people as a social group.” Pride celebration occurs during June, beginning on June 1st and ending on June 30th of every year. 

One of the best things about Pride month is that it allows individuals who are a part of this community to freely express themselves and embrace how they identify both physically and emotionally. 

Keep in mind that coming out to their family as transgender or as a sexuality other than straight can be both psychologically and emotionally draining for some. Some individuals are supported full-heartedly by their family and friends. In contrast, others may be faced with little to no support due to several factors surrounding religious beliefs or their loved ones just not wanting to accept what they are hearing. This is another one of the big reasons why Pride month is so sacred and loved by various individuals throughout the LGBT community.

Support During Pride Month

Happy Pride Month! As pride is coming down to an end, it is time to reflect on some of the activities that took place not just in the country but around the world throughout June to celebrate and support the wonderful LGBT community.

A-List of a few of the events that occurred throughout Pride Month

• On June 1st Stonewall Columbus, OH, held a city hall pride illumination and a community festival & resource fair on June 18th.
• On June 4th and June 5th Winnipeg, Canada, held their PrideMART, which featured performances, a Trans March, and Pride Run, to name a few of the events.
• On Friday, June 3rd, Guam held their Party @ the Globe for individuals 18+, followed by a Saturday full of fun on June 4th with a march and festival open to all ages.
• Varese, Italy dedicated the week of June 11 - June 18th exclusively to pride ending the week with their parade on June 18th.
• Los Angeles, CA, held their LA Pride in the Park on June 11th and, on June 12th, celebrated its 52nd annual pride parade.

These were only a few of the many events held for Pride both around the country and around the world.

After Pride Month

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Pride month is over. Now what? Just like throughout June, you should continue to be supportive of the LGBT in your local communities. No matter your size, race, gender, religion, or sexuality, love is love and conquers all at the end of the day. A few ways that you can continue to support the LGBT community around you include:

• Educating yourself: this is one of the best ways to show that you care about the community or someone close to you who identifies as part of the community.
• NEVER out them to anyone: Although this may not seem like a big deal to some individuals, it can be life-altering for others. As an ally or a friend of an individual in the community, the best thing you can do is be there and support them as they decide who and when they want to share their lives.
• Be vocal about being an ally: You shouldn’t let what others think about you determine how and if you are showing that you are a community ally. This is still a struggle in some places both across the country and throughout the world, but by voicing your allyship, you show that it is OK for individuals in the community to be who they are and be proud of it.
• Use the proper pronouns: Now, I know this may seem new for some people, while for others, they are used to it. But it is more important than anyone realizes that when you talk to or about someone, you refer to them by their correct pronouns. Some people in the LGBTQ+ community are defensive about the pronouns that they use to refer to themselves. When someone chooses to use the wrong pronoun on purpose, it can be seen as the equivalent of being called a racial slur.
• Just Listen: This is one of the best things you can do for both friends and family, whether they are in the LGBT community or not. Although you may not relate to all their struggles sometimes, it is nice to have someone there to just listen to you talk.

Things that individuals in the LGBT community wished everyone knew.

Besides not being treated differently due to how they identify or who they date, one of the things people wish that individuals outside of the community knew is that coming out isn’t a one-and-done type of deal. This is something that many individuals who are a part of the community will face throughout their lifetime. As new people enter their lives, they have to come out again and again. Although this may be a little easier as time goes on, for others, it can be just as scary as the first, no matter how many times you have done it.

Treating others with respect is the most important thing one can and should do, whether they are members of the LGBT community or not. The best thing that loved ones can do for those who are community members is to continue to love and support them as they face the various obstacles that life may throw their way.

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