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Politics and Activism

6 Ways to Get Involved for Pride Month

Because we should all be proud of who we are

Nicole Masaki

Jun 01, 2017

Canisius College

769

As the month of June approaches so does a vast number of other things-- summer jobs, summer plans, new adventures. What June also means is our nationally recognized and celebrated Pride Month. But this is more than just parades and rainbow flags, there is a whole history that needs to be shared. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has a brief article about the pride since 1970. In addition to this history, here are some amazing ways to celebrate Pride Month!

1. Attend a Parade

If your city itself doesn't host one, there is probably one near you. Check it out! You'll have an amazing time and be completely overwhelmed at the amount of support your local area has!

2. Support local businesses that support the LGBT+ community.

This is something I learned about recently--many places are compiling Gay and Lesbian Yellow Pages where you can search and see local businesses that support and serve the LGBT+ community.

3. Read a book that supports LGBT+ Visibility.

Today we have more and more books (YA especially) that take special notice of LGBT+ characters. If you're not sure about where to look check out some online blogs for recommendations! Some of my favorites are epicreads and even buzzfeed! In addition, local libraries might even have displays highlighting books for Pride Month (I know mine does)! Some of my personal recommendations are Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin (if you're interested in knowing more about genderfluid check it out), If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo (featuring a transgender protagonist) and The You I've Never Known by Ellen Hopkins (featuring two Bisexual/Questioning protagonists).

4. Know Resources!

Chances are your local area has a pride center: If you're in Western New York/Erie County check it out here. Other resources include GLAAD, HRC, and PFLAG (just to name a few).

5. Learn what LGBT+ is all about

Chances are you know what LGBT stands for, its the plus that everyone gets a little lost on. What exactly does the plus include? It can be completely confusing but there are so many available resources to educate yourself. I found a great online article that's calls itself a "Comprehensive* list of LGBTQ+ vocabulary definitions" In addition there's also a resource guide a book out called A Guide to Gender by Sam Killermann.

6. Be a Rad Ally!

There's only so much you can read online or in books. Chances are you either know someone who is a part of the LGBT+ community, you are someone who is part of the LGBT+ community or both! If you aren't but know someone who is, talk to them. Different people need different things for support. Sometimes it can be as easy as using the right pronouns for a friend, but you have to ask to know what your friends need from you.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

6 Ways to Get Involved for Pride Month

Because we should all be proud of who we are

1. Attend a Parade

2. Support local businesses that support the LGBT+ community.

3. Read a book that supports LGBT+ Visibility.

4. Know Resources!

5. Learn what LGBT+ is all about

6. Be a Rad Ally!

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For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

27. When you get assigned the most incompetent group of people possible for a group project.

28. I need a comfort dog so I can avoid all life and school responsibilities.

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

Who isn't stressing out over finals right now?

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