The Ultimate Guide to Show Your Pride
By Daniel Simpson
Showing LGBTQ+ pride can be a vibrant and vital way to celebrate identity, support the community, and advocate for equality. This is YOUR summer to showcase your pride, whether you are in the LGBTQ+ community or an ally. There are many ways to do this, no matter where you live or how old you are. I do recognize, however, that not all readers may be able to show their pride out and proud. I can only hope that you can find one way to celebrate who you are while respecting your personal safety.
First, you can attend parades and festivals. You can wear flashy outfits and meet other LGBTQ+ folks. Don’t have one nearby? Host a pride party of your own! There are also advocacy events such as marches, rallies, and/or political campaigns that fight for LGBTQ+ rights and policy changes. Many small towns host their own festivals, but below are some larger-scale events around the world:
● New York City Pride Parade (I personally have been to this one twice — it’s so much fun!), USA
● São Paulo LGBTQ+ Pride Parade, Brazil
● Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Australia
● Amsterdam Pride, Netherlands
● Madrid Orgullo (MADO), Spain
● Toronto Pride, Canada
● San Francisco Pride, USA
● Berlin Pride, Germany
● Pride London, UK
● Pride in Taipei, Taiwan
● Los Angeles Pride, USA
● Denver, Colorado
● EuroPride — Held in a different European city each year
● Stockholm Pride, Sweden
● Tel Aviv Pride, Israel
You can also wear pride merchandise! Now, I will say, some retail companies have a history of not having the best merchandise, but it has gotten better. From apparel to makeup to accessories, you can even wear bright colors that resonate with you. Each sexuality and gender has their own colorful flag that you can flex.
You can volunteer and donate to LGBTQ+ organizations, if you are able. Here are some:
● Human Rights Campaign (HRC): The United States’ largest LGBTQ+ advocacy group and political lobbying organization, working on issues including marriage equality, anti-discrimination laws, and health.
● GLAAD (formerly the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation): An organization that tackles issues related to media representation of LGBTQ+ people, combating discrimination and promoting understanding, acceptance, and equality.
● The Trevor Project: An American non-profit organization focused on suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth.
● Lambda Legal: A civil rights organization that focuses on fighting legal battles for LGBTQ+ rights, particularly through strategic litigation and public policy advocacy.
● PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays): An organization that offers support for the families and allies of LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as resources and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights.
● ILGA (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association): A worldwide federation campaigning for LGBTQ+ rights on the international human rights and civil rights scene, representing more than 1,500 organizations from over 150 countries.
● The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE): A U.S.-based social justice advocacy organization winning life-saving change for transgender people through policy advocacy and collaboration.
● OutRight Action International (formerly International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission): Works at the international level to combat discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and to advocate for their human rights.
● The Stonewall Foundation: Named after the 1969 Stonewall riots, it works to increase support within the LGBTQ+ community via grant-making, scholarship provisions, and more.
● The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN): Focuses on ensuring safe and affirming schools for all students, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
● Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF): Provides legal services, advocacy, and public education on behalf of transgender people.
● It Gets Better Project: An organization dedicated to uplifting, empowering, and connecting LGBTQ+ youth around the globe through storytelling and community-building.
● Equality Federation: A strategic advocacy partner to state-based organizations advocating for LGBTQ+ people.
● National LGBTQ Task Force: A U.S.-based organization promoting civil rights and working towards social justice for LGBTQ+ individuals.
● Amnesty International: While not exclusively an LGBTQ+ focused organization, Amnesty includes LGBTQ+ rights as part of its broader human rights advocacy.
You can also support LGBTQ+-owned businesses. Here are some notable ones:
● Big Gay Ice Cream: An NYC-based ice cream company that started as an ice cream truck and gained a following with its fun and inclusive take on traditional soft-serve.
● HER: A dating and community app for LGBTQ+ women and queer people, created by Robyn Exton, designed to create a more inclusive environment for its users.
● OutSmart Magazine: An LGBTQ+-owned media outlet based in Houston, Texas, providing news, features, and guides
● Revel & Riot: An LGBTQ+-owned business that uses the t-shirt as a canvas to promote LGBTQ+ equality, visibility, and justice
● TomboyX: clothing brand that makes underwear and swimwear for all body types and sizes, with a focus on inclusivity and catering to the LGBTQ+ community
● Otherwild: A queer-identified woman-owned store and graphic design studio that offers a selection of products made by LGBTQ+ artists and ethically-created jewelry, apparel, and accessories
Next, you can educate others about LGBTQ+ history, stories, and issues. You can do this verbally or through activism on social media. If you are comfortable, you can share your own story, whether it be through blogging, vlogging, or public speaking.
You can even support movies, shows, music, books, and art that are created by and for LGBTQ+ people, and recommend them to others. Some famous LGBTQ+ artists — on a broad scale — are Andy Worhol (check out his museum in Pittsburgh, PA — it’s great!), Frida Kahlo, Ellen DeGeneres, Elton John, Tennessee Williams, Laverne Cox, and Jodie Foster.
Finally, you can organize and contribute in LGBTQ+ support groups. You can turn to Facebook Groups or research groups in your community. There are virtual pride events, webinars, and live-streams — just do a Google search! When you’re in school, you can take part or create a Gay-Straight Alliance club to connect with others.
No matter how you choose to show your pride, the most important thing is to do so in a way that’s comfortable, authentic, and respectful to the varied experiences within the LGBTQ+ community. Remember that pride is a personal experience, and there’s no right or wrong way to celebrate who you are.
About the Author
Daniel Simpson (he/him) is from Park Ridge, NJ, a small town outside of New York City. He is a first-year student at the University of Michigan pursuing a dual degree in Business Administration and Theatre Arts. Go blue!
Daniel was bitten by the theatre bug at the age of seven and has been a performer ever since. When Daniel was in middle school, he performed in a professional new musical called It’s Easy: The Friend Strong Musical, where he was introduced to the Be A Friend Project (BAFP). Daniel started an anti-bullying club at his high school, and now works for the BAFP as a Media Coordinator and a National Teen Kindness Board member.
In addition to performing and spreading the anti-bullying message, Daniel enjoys marketing, coffee, cooking, working out, and going on adventures with friends.
