Pride is celebrated annually in June and allyship is more than attending a parade or posting #pride. Some of my best friends throughout my entire life and coaching clients have been/are part of the LGBTQ+ community. I’ve learned allyship is love in action. Doing the work, listening, educating ourselves and others, donating to worthy causes, and focusing on true freedom, expression, liberation, equality for all.
“Pride is not only a celebration of life, it is also a space to feel at home with yourself and the ones closest to you.”—Caleb Boyles
I stand for unity, inclusivity and the right for every human to be their authentic self. That’s why for the month of June a portion of my proceeds from my courses, coaching and meditation albums will go to “It Gets Better Project.” A global non-profit that provides hope and encouragement to young LGBTQ+ people. Because it does get better, together.
These tips shared by Best Life can help: “How to Be an Ally and Support LGBTQIA+ People”
#1: Learn More and Support LGBTQIA+
LGBTQIA+ people can be prosecuted for who they love in 69 UN member states. In 11, they can face the death penalty. Even after they’ve left, LGBTQIA+ refugees and asylum seekers often still face additional challenges and vulnerabilities. We still have a long way to go for full equal rights. Learn More and Support Here
#2 Support LGBTQIA+ Businesses
You can support the LGBTQIA+ community with your actions by making a conscious effort to shop at businesses run by queer individuals. Plus, it’s easy to find queer-friendly establishments. Directories like Pink Spots list all of the businesses and events in your area that are LGBTQIA+ friendly.
#3 Stop Supporting Ones that Feed into Homophobic Agendas
If you want to be an LGBTQIA+ ally and you notice that a company or business is making homophobic comments or donating to anti-gay organizations, you have the choice to stop supporting that business.
#4 Do something when you see a member of the LGBTQIA+ community in trouble
Members of the LGBTQIA+ community still experience verbal, physical, and cyber harassment. If and when you see this happening, your job as an ally is to make sure that the person being accosted is safe. In these situations, “ask [the person] if they are OK and stand with them or walk with them until the people harassing them have left.”
#5 Support LGBTQIA+ Art & Culture
This list from Youth To The People presents a guide for Dreaming With Pride, a listener’s and reader’s resource for all things LGBTQIA+. Use this to expand your musical tastes, historical knowledge, and cultural awareness.
PODCASTS
- Adventures in Time and History
- Food 4 Thot
- Making Gay History
- The Read
- QueerWOC
- AfroQueer
- Outward
- Nancy
- Anzaldùing It
- Bitter Brown Femmes
MUSIC
- Wafia
- Amythyst Khia
- Tom Goss
- Quentin Arispe
- Chella Man
- Shea Diamond
- Serpentwithfeet
- Kevin Abstract
- MNEK
- Young M.A.
FILM
- Moonlight
- Paris Is Burning
- Visible: Out on Television
- C.R.A.Z.Y
- Pose
- Disclosure
- Angels in America
- Rafiki
- Tangerine
- Blackbird
BOOKS
- The Afterward, by E.K. Johnston
- Fairest, A Memoir, by Meredith Talusan
- The Prophets, by Robert Jones
- Honey Girl, by Morgan Rogers
- Lot: Stories, by Bryan Washington
- Ruby-Fruit Jungle, by Rita Mae Brown
- All My Mother’s Lovers, by Ilana Masad
- Under the Rainbow, by Celia Laskey
- Stung with Love, by Sappho
- Juliet Takes a Breath, by Gabby Rivera
