It’s Pride Month! Whether you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, now is a great time to celebrate! Rainbows are everywhere as people show their support for the community, but what does it mean to be a good advocate for LGBTQ+ people during this special month?
The LGBTQ+ community is diverse. It includes all walks of life and includes all genders, ethnicities, ages, and backgrounds. No matter how you fit into the greater picture, as an ally, a trans man, a lesbian woman, a two-spirit individual, and beyond, you likely still have a lot to learn, as people and their lived experiences vary widely. Take time to educate yourself. Walk a mile in somebody else’s shoes and understand what their challenges and successes look like, then make sure you support one another.
Social media is an excellent tool that can be used to uplift others and expand your horizons. It offers an opportunity for you to stand up against hate and dive deeper into understanding others’ perspectives. If you have the privilege to use the power of your voice on social media, take advantage of it! Make sure you seize the chance to educate with facts and help stop the spread of stigmatized opinions. Seek out people to follow who are well educated on LGBTQ+ issues, and elevate their voices when possible.
Other great ways of showing support include reading works by LGBTQ+ individuals, donating to organizations that support queer folks, using inclusive language, and frequenting queer-owned businesses. This past year has been tough, especially for small businesses, so the next time you shop, consider shopping local and queer instead of supporting larger companies who may do little to benefit the LGBTQ+ community.
Investigate how the companies you normally patronize treat their employees who identify as LGBTQ+. The Human Rights Campaign has a great resource called the Corporate Equality Index that benchmarks corporations on their policies, practices, and benefits that pertain to employees who are members of the LGBTQ+ community. It enables users to see companies where people are truly being included versus which companies have more work to do.
Another way to hold large organizations accountable is calling out rainbow washing when you see it. This trend that many businesses participate in is when a company changes its logo temporarily to rainbow colors in support of Pride Month but does little to directly support the LGBTQ+ community. This isn’t every business with a rainbow logo; so, if you’re looking to buy something Pride themed this month, check to see if your purchase is supporting the community directly or if it goes into the hands of large businesses that do the opposite.
Pride Month provides an opportunity for people to push for cultural and political change that benefits the LGBTQ+ community, so be loud and be proud in your support. Participate in events, like the ADVANCE Study, that help progress the rights of LGBTQ+ folks. Volunteer with local organizations like Project MORE that do good for the community.
This Pride Month is a wonderful time to reflect on what more you could be doing to support those around you, but it shouldn’t be the only time when you act. Speak up when people or companies are doing something that is not in the best interests of queer folx. And, in general, when there’s an opportunity to do MORE, don’t miss it.