During Pride Month each June, there are thousands of events across the world to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Parades, concerts, festivals, workshops, and many more, all to raise the visibility of LGBTQ+ pride as people show their support. But it’s important that the support doesn’t end when Pride Month is over. If you want to be a true ally for the LGBTQ+ community, there are things you can do all year round. It can be something small, such as wearing custom lapel pins to raise LGBTQ+ awareness or something more involved, like volunteering at an LGTBQ+ organization. Let’s look at some ways you can show your allyship to the LGBTQ+ community not just in June, but every month of the year.
How Can You Educate Yourself About the LGBTQ+ Community?
It’s vital that someone looking to support the LGBTQ+ community first looks at themselves and recognizes where they can learn and be a better ally. Go online and read about the historical struggles of LGBTQ+ people. Recognize that you could have some blind spots in your thinking and be benefitting from privilege you didn’t know you had. It can be eye-opening and maybe uncomfortable, but it’s important to realize how your thoughts and actions might not have always been aligned with those of LGTBQ+ people.
In your drive to learn more about the LGBTQ+ struggle, ask questions. But when you do, remember to be respectful. Just because a person identifies as LGBTQ+ doesn’t mean they feel a responsibility to educate others. It could be painful for them. But if they are open to a discussion, it’s important to be thoughtful with your questions.
What Are Some Ways You Can Show Your Support for the LGBTQ+ Community?
Showing your support can be done by increasing the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community. Flying a pride flag on your home or apartment shows your neighbors and anyone passing by that you are an ally. Putting a sticker on your car or bicycle allows others to see your support. Wearing custom lapel pins on your clothes or backpack gives an immediate indicator to anyone you meet that you are a champion of the LGBTQ+ community. If it’s a rainbow or another pride symbol, custom lapel pins let you decide what message you want to send.
You can donate to any number of worthy groups and organizations. GLAAD, The Trevor Project, The Center for Black Equity, Trans Lifeline, The Marsha P. Johnson Institute, and PFLAG are just a few. Additionally, you can also donate your time to the cause. Volunteering for these groups or others to make phone calls or do community outreach is a great way to help.
Along with volunteering, can make sure you are supporting queer-owned businesses or signing petitions to change the laws in your community. There are several anti-LGTBQ+ laws being enacted around the country right now and it’s important to stand up to the lawmakers who are trying to get these hurtful laws passed.
How Do I Speak Up for the LGBTQ+ Community?
It’s important to make your feelings known when supporting the LGBTQ+ community even if it’s uncomfortable. People need to know when they’re being insensitive. Many times, they don’t even realize it. If your family members are using hurtful language, tell them what they’re doing is not appropriate. If someone is misgendering another individual, correct their mistake. Be gentle and polite, but make sure they are aware.
You can also show support and visibility for LGBTQ+ causes by using your pronouns in your social media and email signatures. Showing others who you are lets them know you are supportive of who they are and their preferred pronouns.
How Do I show LGBTQ+ Support at Work?
Part of being inclusive of others is not making assumptions about them. Don’t automatically assume the people you work with are straight. If you own a business, have all-gender restrooms for your employees. When you provide a health care plan, check that gender-affirming surgery is covered. Support employee resource groups for LGBTQ+ employees. If you aren’t a business owner, speak up and ask about instituting policies like these if they’re not already. It takes effort and support to make positive changes in the workplace, so it’s important to be heard.
Your Support Is Vital
It’s not always easy to recognize your biases, educate yourself, and make changes in your life to be an ally for the LGBTQ+ community. You will make some mistakes along the way, but it’s important to learn from them and move forward. Speaking up, raising visibility with custom lapel pins, or volunteering for an organization are all ways to get started. Just know you will always have learning to do and what you’re doing is so important to a community that needs your support.
