Since Pride Month is here, I think it's appropriate to talk about how you can be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community every day of the year so we can all celebrate each other with the utmost amount of respect.
It's important to always be considerate and supportive of our friends and family in the LGBTQ+ community, but there are many stereotypes and misconceptions that contribute to the oppression of countless individuals who are apart of this group.
I will highlight multiple ways you can respectful of the community by offering advice, reminders, and basic dos and don'ts to spread awareness and potentially educate the ignorant.
1. Don't go to Pride just as an excuse to drink and party.
The Pride parade and festival is about so much more than drinking and partying. Everyone is welcome to attend the event, but don't come with the wrong intentions.
Pride is a celebration of equality and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community, not for you to get blackout drunk with a group of your straight friends.
2. Be supportive of your friends and family who are part of the LGBTQ+ community.
It's 2019. Homophobia and transphobia aren't cute, people!
If you're reading this, this is a reminder that every gender and sexuality is valid and you have to respect them. All love here!
3. Understand that a Heterosexual Pride Month is unnecessary. Period.
GiphyThrough the years, there have been countless complaints about there being an annual Gay Pride parade.
Some find it unfair, unnecessary, or even ridiculous that the LGBTQ+ community has a whole month dedicated to them so they can celebrate their equal rights and overcoming adversity.
Because of this, you may have heard people say "but why don't we have Straight Pride?"
In case you have forgotten, straight people are not oppressed because of their sexuality. They are not disowned, abused, assaulted, or killed for being straight. In fact, every month of the year is heterosexual pride month.
4. You shouldn't say things like "time to turn gay" just because your current relationship isn't working out.
Giphy
It's obvious that it's just a joke, but please realize that saying stuff like this isn't quirky, it's actually offensive.
Come on, Becky, we been knew that Steve is a dick but saying that you're gonna date girls because "men suck" isn't a personality trait. What's not clicking?
5. Please, and I CANNOT stress this enough, never use offensive slurs.
I think y'all know which words I'm talking about here. Just....don't ever say them. Period.
6. Respect people's pronouns (he/him, she/her, they/them, etc.)
This is really important. Intentionally mis-gendering someone is discriminatory and hurtful, especially if you know what their preferred pronouns are and if they have asked you to use them.
You might do it accidentally and that's okay, but make sure you apologize and refer to them by their preferred pronouns in the future.
This is a basic form of respect. Recognize that all gender identities are valid!
7. Understand that the words "gay" and "dumb" are not interchangeable.
Most people are guilty of saying "oh that's gay" while referring to something they think is dumb.
So basically what you are saying is gay people are dumb? How nice. Come on, there are so many other adjectives to use that aren't offensive. Say literally ANYTHING else.
8. Also understand that things associated with femininity aren't "gay" either.
GiphyThe first example of this that came to mind for me was boys thinking that taking care of your personal hygiene is only something women do, therefore it is considered "gay" if guys do it.
This might be shocking to you, but being hygienic is not "gay."
I've seen so many people on Twitter say that men getting manicures, doing face masks, or even doing their make-up is "gay," and I find it very ridiculous and laughable that some people think like this.
9. Remember that there are more than two genders.
Some of y'all 'bout to be real mad at me, but it must be said.
Gender is a social construct. Male and female are not the only two genders in existence. We as a society are obsessed with labeling people based on their assigned sex at birth and we place them in a box according to their genitalia. In this essay I will-
10. Bisexuality is a valid identity.
GiphyThere are so many stereotypes surrounding bisexuality that just aren't true at all. In case you were wondering, I myself am bisexual, so allow me to make some things clear:
1. We can identify as bi even if we have not been in relationships with both men and women before.
2. If we date or marry someone of the opposite sex, we are still bi. Not straight.
3. Bisexuality does not mean we are 50% gay and 50% straight.
4. Just because we are bi doesn't mean we want to be in a relationship with a man and a woman at the same time.
5. We do not have "straight-privilege." Refer back to item #3.
6. Bisexuality is a valid identity. We exist. No, it is not a phase.
11. If someone comes out to you, do not out them to others.
12. Dressing up and wearing rainbow attire to Pride is encouraged.
Go crazy and stupid with rainbows all you want. Pop off!
