You don’t need to be a member of the LGBTQIA+ community to support and celebrate Pride Month
Throughout the month of June, Liaison is running a special blog series to celebrate Pride Month. Our first post addressed the history of the holiday and the fact that discrimination continues to mar the academic experience for many LGBTQIA+ community members.
Today, we’re highlighting eight ways those who do not identify as LGBTQIA+ can show their support for the LGBTQIA+ community during Pride and beyond.
#1: Use the right pronouns.
Consider mentioning your pronouns when you introduce yourself to people — and don’t be shy about respectfully asking others if they have pronoun preferences. It’s a simple way to express respect and empathy. Fortunately, social media platforms make it easy to share your preferences. To start learning how, read these articles about profile pronouns on Instagram and LinkedIn.
#2: Put your money where your mouth is.
You can find lists of charitable organizations that support the LGBTQIA+ community at sites including The Trevor Project, America’s Charities and Charity Navigator.
#3: Speak up.
Don’t tolerate intolerance. Lead by example by challenging hateful thoughts and actions if you can do so safely. If not, consider calling for help.
#4: Don’t question another person’s self-identify.
People today may describe their gender and/or sexual identify with terms and concepts previously unfamiliar to you, but that doesn’t mean they’re wrong. Take them at their word and don’t try to correct them. How would you feel if somebody challenged your self-identify?
#5: Attend a Pride parade.
In some cities and towns, Pride parades are the highlight of the social calendar and mark the unofficial start of summer. Find out why for yourself this year!
#6: Put up a welcoming sign at work.
The simple gesture of posting a sign at work signaling your organization’s commitment to LGBTQIA+ employees and customers can go a long way toward creating a more welcoming environment for everyone.
#7: Open your eyes by watching a few documentaries and movies about LGBTQIA+ issues.
If you don’t know where to start, check out the Pride series on FX Networks. Each episode looks at specific decade. They include: “1950s: People Had Parties,” “1960s: Riots and Revolution,” “1970s: The Vanguard of Struggle,” “1980s: Underground,” “1990s: The Culture Wars” and “2000s: Y2Gay.”
And here are some must-watch movies recommended by members of Liaison’s LGBTQIA+ Community:
- Boys Don’t Cry
- Cabaret
- Camp
- How to Survive a Plague
- Priscilla Queen of the Desert
- If These Walls Could Talk 2
- Brokeback Mountain
- The Bird Cage
- Happiest Season
- Blood on the Cheerleader
- Beautiful Thing
- Boys on the Side
#8: Fly a flag at home.
Just as you don’t need to be Black to put a Black Lives Matter sign on your front door or lawn, you don’t need to be LGBTQIA+ to fly the Pride flag. Let your neighbors know where you stand.
Enjoy Pride!