You’ve probably noticed a recent change around you.
There’s daily pride filters on Snapchat, national businesses are branding products with rainbows, and big city streets are being filled with a sea of color. There’s even new rainbow stickers on Facebook and Twitter! Rainbows have been filling your lives for longer than you’ve known. In 1978, Gilbert Baker created the first rainbow flag, the emblem of the LGBTQ+ community. And now, it is an international symbol of unity and acceptance. You’ve been seeing more rainbows this month than you have probably in your entire life (unless you’ve been to unicorn themed birthday party). That’s because the month of June is designated as Pride Month. And it’s kind of a big deal.
Businesses including Converse, American Eagle, and Target have partnered with equality and civil rights organizations such as Human Rights Campaign (HRC), GLAAD, and GLSEN to create product lines featuring rainbows to show support and donate a portion of proceeds to LGBTQ+ organizations. Buzzfeed launched a heartwarming series of videos entitled “Queer Prom” to highlight the world of LGBTQ+ teens in America, but as well as to give them a safe space to be unapologetically themselves. There have been resistance marches and rallies to evoke change and equal representation of the LGBTQ+ community, such as the Equality March in Washington DC and the #ResistMarch at Los Angeles Pride weekend. YouTube Personality Tyler Oakley has created a storytelling series for Pride Month called “Chosen Family: Stories of Queer Resilience” that resonates with all members of the LGBTQ+ community. LGBTQ+ musical artists such as Troye Sivan, Mary Lambert, and Halsey have released new music highlighting queer relationships. Hitting close to home, Atlanta has decided to implement a permanent rainbow crosswalk. I could go on and on about the amazing things happening this month, but Pride Month is more than the support of the media and companies, but rather about the growth of change and striving for equality.
Pride Month is about the visualization of the LGBTQ+ community and creating safe spaces for equal opportunity, acceptance and social justice. Pride Month is the ability to finally feel free, to finally be you because you can see that the world isn’t full of hate. Pride Month is a time where LGBTQ+ members can finally feel the love that they deserve. It is a time to be yourself, embrace being queer, and to find all the places and people where you can be you. Rainbows are the symbol of equality and acceptance of queerness across the world, but they are only a small part of what Pride Month really is. The rainbows are a sign of hope.
We are constantly viewing news stories of yet another transgender person being brutally killed and the murder is acquitted. We remember the hate crimes like the Pulse Nightclub shooting that occurred only a year ago and how the threat of more of these terrible events are incredibly real. We sit and watch as the Trump Administration is drafting to institute laws that strip the rights of and dehumanize queer people, and what’s scarier is that half the nation believes in these plans. Instead of expressing condolences or event staying silent, President Donald Trump attended an anti-LGBTQ+ conference in the middle of Pride Month and refuses to acknowledge the anti-homosexuality events in Chechnya. The news and media is a scary sight for many LGBTQ+ allies and members alike, and it is easy to feel lost and suppressed.
But, there is not time to lose faith. We have to take action and use our voice for change and demand justice. Without this strength, our efforts will be silenced and diminished, even though LGBTQ+ people are simply that – people. Almost two years ago, same-sex marriage was legalized in the United States. Since then, nations worldwide have taken strides to combat anti-homosexuality laws and ban conversion therapy. Former President Barak Obama instated the first national park focused on LGBTQ+ history, the Stonewall National Monument in New York, what many call the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. We’ve seen churches open their doors to welcome LGBTQ+ members and clergy, as new interpretations of long standing denominational regulations are being understood. The power of current and former athletes, celebrities, and media personalities allows LGBTQ+ youth to identify not only to someone else’s story, but to finally find themselves.
So, what can you do as an LGBTQ+ ally or member during Pride Month and beyond? Educate yourself and those around you about the community, including different sexualities, genders, and correct pronouns. Participate in Pride celebrations whether it’s a parade or volunteering for a LGBTQ+ shelter or organization. Consider donating to Pride organizations such as HRC, GLAAD, GLSEN, or The Trevor Project. Learn the history behind LGBTQ+ rights, legislations, and organizations. Sign petitions, protest in a march, and call your senators regarding the proposed discriminatory legislations. But the most important thing you can do is to show your support and love for the LGBTQ+ community. Open your hearts and doors if you can to the struggling LGBTQ+ youth, volunteer for or donate to your local LGBTQ+ shelter, join or start a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) at your school, or invite LGBTQ+ speakers to your school to tell their story and educate your hometown. Don’t be afraid to dawn your greatest rainbow gear, hang a rainbow flag from your porch, decorate your belongings with rainbow and equality stickers, or whatever draws you to show your support during Pride Month and beyond.
To find Pride events in your area, visit: http://www.gaypridecalendar.com/
To gain more information about the LGBTQ+ community, check out these organizations:
To support political LGBTQ+ movement and rights, visit your State Senate Office’s website to reach out to your legislators and speak your voice or take a look at these sites:
https://5calls.org/category/tyler%20oakley%20collaboration
If you or know someone who is an LGBTQ+ youth and is suicidal, please visit http://www.thetrevorproject.org/ to get the help needed via a safe, private crisis intervention and suicide hotline.
