18 Practical Ways to Celebrate Pride as an Ally

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How to support the LGBTQ+ community during Pride
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Pride month (June) is an important time of the year for all members of the LGBTQ+ community to take pride in who they are, all while acknowledging the path of progress that’s been forged by the queer community of decades past—and the progress that still has yet to be made. Read on to learn a variety of different ways to celebrate as a straight ally at home, in your community, and at work, like learning more about queer history and immersing yourself in queer media. We’ll even discuss the logistics of attending Pride as a straight person, and ways you can be the best possible ally in the future, even after Pride month ends.

How can I celebrate Pride as an ally?

Take time to learn a little more about the history of Pride month, including its origins surrounding the Stonewall Riots in 1969. You can also attend Pride events and focus on supporting and uplifting queer voices.

Section 1 of 3:

Ways to Celebrate Pride

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  1. Modern Pride as we know it can be traced back to one significant event in particular: the Stonewall Uprising of 1969, where the LGBTQ+ community clashed with and protested against a police raid at the Stonewall Inn (a gay bar) in New York for 6 days total. Exactly 1 year after the original demonstrations at Stonewall (on June 28, 1970), the LGBTQ+ community held the very first Pride march as a way to commemorate the original protests while continuously advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. It’s because of this original event and the following march that Pride Month is held in June. [1]
    • It’s important to recognize the role that BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) members of the queer community played during this significant event, including figures like Marsha P. Johnson, Stormé DeLarverie, and Sylvia Rivera. [2]
  2. A variety of different sexual orientations and gender identities belong to the LGBTQ+ acronym, beyond the main 4-5 letters. [3] Here’s a quick break-down of some of the different labels used within the LGBTQ+ community, as defined by the Human Rights Campaign: [4]
    • Gay: “A person who is emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to members of the same gender (used by men, women, and non-binary individuals).”
    • Lesbian: “A woman who is emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to other women (used by women and non-binary individuals).”
    • Bisexual: “A person emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to more than one gender, though not necessarily simultaneously, in the same way or to the same degree.”
    • Transgender: “An umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or expression is different from cultural expectations based on the sex they were assigned at birth.”
    • Queer: “A term people often used to express a spectrum of identities and orientations that are counter to the mainstream.”
    • Questioning: “A term used to describe people who are in the process of exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
    • Intersex: “Intersex people are born with a variety of differences in their sex traits and reproductive anatomy.”
    • Asexual: “Often called ace for short, “asexual” refers to a complete or partial lack of sexual attraction or lack of interest in sexual activity with others.”
    • Non-binary: “An adjective describing a person who does not identify exclusively as a man or a woman.”
    • Pansexual: “Describes someone who has the potential for emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to people of any gender, though not necessarily simultaneously, in the same way or to the same degree.”
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  3. Search for pride events being held in your area—resources like Pridefinder (managed by the website GayCities) can help with this. Most large cities host celebrations like parades you can attend in June. [5]
    • How can I stay safe during Pride? Licensed clinical psychologist Kateri Berasi suggests attending Pride “with another person whom you trust, whether a friend, partner, or parent.” She also suggests bringing “your phone, water, and a snack” with you to the parade.
  4. While the LGBTQ+ movement has made a lot of progress in the past few decades, queer individuals unfortunately still experience a lot of discrimination on a political level. Petitions are a simple but powerful way to voice your support and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community (especially during Pride month). Check out sites like Change.org and Petitions - UK Government and Parliament to get started.
  5. Who you follow and support on social media can say a lot about a person—so why not curate your social media feeds with more queer voices? Focus especially on celebrities who have dedicated their time and resources to uplifting the LGBTQ+ community, like Madonna, Lady Gaga, Elliot Page, Billy Porter, Ruby Rose, Miley Cyrus, and Kerry Washington.
  6. During Pride month and beyond, look for opportunities to volunteer with organizations that consistently advocate for and champion LGBTQ+ rights, like:
  7. If you have the resources, think about making donations to LGBTQ+ organizations and charities in honor of Pride Month. According to Charity Navigator, the following organizations are incredibly trustworthy and great causes to consider donating your money to: [6]
  8. Look for queer-owned businesses in your area, or shop online from queer-owned online shops. The Everywhere Is Queer app is a great starting point for this since it automatically finds and highlights the different queer-owned businesses in your area.
  9. Queer representation is everywhere in modern media—you just have to know where to look. Throughout Pride month, immerse yourself in different elements of queer culture, like museums, movies, books, and music.
    • Queer museums: American LGBTQ+ Museum , Brighton Museum , GLBT Historical Society & Museum , Schwules Museum [7]
    • Queer movies: Moonlight , BPM (Beats Per Minute) , Welcome to Chechnya , Mucho Macho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado , We Were Here [8]
    • Books by queer authors: Pretty: A Memoir by KB Brookins, The Prospects by KT Hoffman, How to Live Free in a Dangerous World: A Decolonial Memoir by Shayla Lawson, Little Rot by Akwaeke Emezi [9]
    • Queer music artists: Lil Nas X, Reneé Rapp, Halsey, Lady Gaga, Megan Thee Stallion
  10. Plenty of queer figures and allies have made their mark on history with unforgettable speeches, and Pride month is a perfect time to reflect on their words. Check out speeches like:
  11. Although the LGBTQ+ movement forges on, it’s still important to recognize and acknowledge the physical places that shaped queer history as we know it. During Pride month, see if you can visit some famous landmarks within the LGBTQ+ movement, like: [11]
    • Old West Church (Boston, MA)
    • Great Wall of Los Angeles (Mural in CA)
    • The Clubhouse (Washington DC)
    • James Baldwin Residence (NYC)
  12. Do a little research into the candidates running for office in your community and country. What are their opinions on LGBTQ+ issues? Are they planning to support the LGBTQ+ community? Casting an informed vote can make all the difference for your queer friends and neighbors.
    • If you live in the United States, resources like Vote 411 and Ballotpedia are great ways to learn more about your candidates. [12]
  13. Something as simple as a “Happy Pride!” greeting in a message or email is a great way to show your support. If you participate in a lot of video calls for your job, think about incorporating rainbow-themed backgrounds into your profile as a quiet but colorful show of solidarity.
  14. Speak with your manager or HR rep about organizing fun and thought-provoking activities for Pride month, like:
    • A luncheon where you all can discuss LGBTQ+ struggles and issues (or give LGBTQ+ employees a special platform to speak)
    • An email chain book club where everyone reads through and discusses an LGBTQ+-friendly piece of literature
    • A movie afternoon (or evening) where everyone watches a film with LGBTQ+ themes
    • A party dedicated to celebrating Pride and uplifting LGBTQ+ voices
  15. Does your company feature its brand with a special blog page? If so, go through the proper channels and see if you can write a piece discussing the importance of Pride month (e.g., why it’s important to celebrate in the workplace).
  16. If your company has a history of charitable giving, go through the proper channels and see if they’d be interested in donating to a well-respected LGBTQ+ charity. Click or tap here for a list of great organizations and charities to choose from.
  17. The training programs a company has its employees undergo can say a lot about a company’s culture and their willingness to support and prioritize the well-being of their LGBTQ+ employees. Talk to your manager or HR rep about including diversity training in the workplace—it could make a big difference! [13]
    • Research shows that including meaningful workplace training can make a difference in the long run. LGBTQ+ employees feel better at the workplace when they’re supported!
  18. While June is a great opportunity to highlight LGBTQ+ issues and amplify queer voices, LGBTQ+ struggles are still relevant and ongoing long after June ends. Even when June comes to a close, commit yourself and the queer community to stay informed and tuned into the issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community.
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Section 2 of 3:

Can straight people go to Pride?

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  1. Pride month is all about celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, acknowledging the progress that’s occurred, and highlighting the changes that still need to be made before the queer community is universally accepted within society. Straight people play an important part in that change and acceptance, and attending Pride events is a great way to show your support and solidarity with the queer community.
    • What matters most is that you’re letting LGBTQ+ people take the spotlight at Pride, rather than drawing any extra attention or focus to yourself.
    • What to wear to Pride: There’s no official “dress code” for Pride, so wear something comfortable for you to walk around in (especially during warmer weather). There's some debate around wearing rainbow or pride-themed clothing and accessories as an ally—some people suggest avoiding those items if they don't truly represent who you are, while others think it's a good way for straight people to show their support. Do what you think best supports the LGBTQ+ community.
Section 3 of 3:

Dos & Don’ts of Being a Good Ally

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  1. Do: Be accepting and supportive when someone comes out to you. Coming out can be an extremely stressful moment in a queer person’s life. Give this moment the respect and seriousness it deserves by offering support and acceptance throughout the conversation. [14]
    • Try to frame the conversation as a special opportunity to be “invited in” to an important aspect of this person’s life.
    • Confirm with the person whether they’d like this information to be kept private or not. In some cases, a queer individual may not feel safe with other people knowing their sexual orientation and would prefer that this information be kept under wraps. Whatever their preference, be sure to respect it!
    Dolly Parton, Singer

    Be accepting and celebrate everyone's identity. "I think everybody should be treated with respect. I don't judge people and I hope that everybody gets a chance to be who and what they are. "

  2. Don’t ask questions about a person’s sexual preferences, sex life, or anything else super personal. Instead, make it clear that you understand and respect what this person has told you, and that you’ll do your best to support them however you can.
  3. Pronouns (like she/her, he/him, and they/them ) are a simple but effective way to validate someone’s gender identity. When someone shares their pronouns, do your best to use and respect them in a given conversation. [15]
    • Don’t be afraid to share your pronouns regularly, too! For example, stick your pronouns at the bottom of your email signature at work to help normalize a culture where people can openly share their preferred pronouns.
    • Don’t make a big deal and profusely apologize if you misgender someone. It can be uncomfortable and embarrassing to use the wrong pronouns—but just apologize sincerely and leave it at that. When you apologize over and over again, you end up making the situation about yourself, which isn’t ideal. The best apology is making a conscious and informed effort in the future! [16]
  4. Use your own voice and platform to give a platform to the LGBTQ+ community. Rather than speaking on behalf of the queer community, use social media to retweet/repost content made by queer voices (rather than overshadowing it with your own). [17]
    • Make sure to shine a light on marginalized groups in the LGBTQ+ community, too! Unfortunately, marginalized groups (like the BlPOC queer community) don’t always have a fair shot at getting their voices and stories heard. [18]
  5. You might be familiar with the classic “Why isn’t there a “straight” Pride month?” joke—and if you aren’t, consider it an example of what not to say when speaking with your queer friends and neighbors. As a straight ally, it’s important to acknowledge that straight people aren’t exposed to the same struggles, judgment, and discrimination that queer people are often subjected to, which is why a special month is dedicated to this community.
  6. Continue to stay informed on the major issues that are affecting LGBTQ+ people, and don’t be afraid to speak up if you hear someone speaking negatively about the queer community. Your voice counts, especially within your local community! [19]
    • If you have the time and resources, consider regularly donating and volunteering with LGBTQ+ causes.
  7. While plenty of LGBTQ+ people have a lot in common, queer individuals aren’t the same. Every LGBTQ+ individual has unique struggles and life experiences, which are all valid!
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I convince my parents and relatives to admit their inner homophobia and accept the LGBTQ+ community as a normal thing?
    Rainy
    Top Answerer
    I'm sorry your family isn't supportive. There's no definitive way to change their hatred to love, but there are some helpful tips in this article: Deal with Homophobic Family. Try making subtle affirming comments too, such as "One of my friends told me that he and his boyfriend sometimes...". That might help normalize it for them. Good luck!
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  • Question
    What if you are asexual?
    Rainy
    Top Answerer
    Asexuals are part of the LGBTQ+ community — you're welcome to celebrate however you'd like to!
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      • Another good way to celebrate is to make or buy buttons or other accessories with different pride flags on them. Wear a straight ally pin for yourself, and give the others to your queer friends to celebrate their identities!
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.loc.gov/ghe/cascade/index.html?appid=90dcc35abb714a24914c68c9654adb67
      2. ↑ https://www.stonewall.org.uk/about-us/news/stonewall-uprising-50-years-lgbt-history
      3. ↑ https://gaycenter.org/community/lgbtq/
      4. ↑ https://www.hrc.org/resources/glossary-of-terms
      5. ↑ https://reports.hrc.org/being-an-lgbtq-ally#ways-to-show-your-support
      6. ↑ https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/best-charities/lgbtqia-nonprofits/#charity_list
      7. ↑ https://sia.libguides.com/lgbt/museums
      8. ↑ https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/best-lgbt-movies-of-all-time/
      9. ↑ https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/pride-in-your-words/
      1. ↑ https://daily.jstor.org/harvey-milks-gay-freedom-day-speech-annotated/
      2. ↑ https://www.nps.gov/subjects/tellingallamericansstories/lgbtqplaces.htm
      3. ↑ https://www.naacpldf.org/research-candidates-state-local-elections/
      4. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35718120/
      5. ↑ https://reports.hrc.org/being-an-lgbtq-ally#when-someone-comes-out-to-you
      6. ↑ https://uwm.edu/lgbtrc/qa_faqs/why-is-it-important-to-respect-peoples-pronouns/
      7. ↑ https://thocc.org/about/news-press/news-detail?articleId=50998&publicid=395
      8. ↑ https://au.reachout.com/relationships/allyship/how-to-be-a-good-lgbtqia-ally
      9. ↑ https://news.syr.edu/the-peel/2020/10/14/8-ways-to-be-a-better-ally/
      10. ↑ https://news.syr.edu/the-peel/2020/10/14/8-ways-to-be-a-better-ally/

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