Pride Month: How To Be an LGBTQ+ Ally

Each person, regardless of identity, skin color, or sexual orientation, deserves to be treated with respect, dignity, and kindness. As a person who truly believes everyone should be considered equal, it's incredibly important to me that I use my platform to spread knowledge and support where I can. June is Pride Month and I want to express my support to the LGBTQ+ community!

The theme of the past year and more has been reflection and action. And this time has given me the chance to reflect on how to be an ally to all communities. I’ve been reflecting on how I can best support the Black community and Black Lives Matter by educating myself on social justice issues and taking thoughtful and deliberate action. I’m having uncomfortable conversations, listening, learning, and using my platform for others to share their message. People are beautifully complex and paint outside-the-lines, and I’m determined to learn as much as I can so my friends, family, and friends I haven’t met yet know I’m a safe person to trust and confide in.

A short list of ways we can be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community:

- First and foremost, this is a time to listen openly to your LGBTQ+ friend’s stories and experiences and be willing to confront your own bias.
- Stand up for your friends and act against any discrimination you see!
- Discover the history of Pride.
- Use appropriate identity terms and pronouns. If you’re unsure about your friend’s preferred pronoun or when and where it’s okay to talk about their identity, just ASK!
- Learn how to support the LGBTQ+ community, such as by donating to grassroots organizations and voting for officials who will present and uphold policies that promote equality for all people.