It’s June which can only mean one thing…Pride Month!
It’s a time when the world bursts into a kaleidoscope of rainbows, parades, and festivities, as we embrace the rich tapestry of queer identities. But amid the colorful celebrations, it's also a month of solemn ceremonies, activism, and remembrance, as we raise awareness of the ongoing issues the LGBTQ+ community faces worldwide.
In this post, we’ve put together some LGBTQ+ organizations you can support alongside LGBTQ+ empowering businesses we host here on Earth Hero. Whatever Pride month means to you, we hope you find some inspo to celebrate and stand in solidarity this month and beyond!
What Is Pride Month?
Pride Month is a month-long celebration in June to honor LGBTQ+ (lesbian, Bisexual. Transgender, Queer/Questioning+) accomplishments and activism. It commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, a series of protests by members of the LGBTQ+ community in response to a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Greenwich Village.
Nowadays, Pride month is a time for everyone to come together and be proud of who they are and who they love, with global parades, festivals, and community gatherings embracing diversity.
But amid the celebrations, it’s important to remember the month’s origins in protests, activism, and the promotion of rights. Sadly we still live in a world where love isn’t always seen as equal, and Pride Month reminds us of the ongoing struggle for equality and justice worldwide.
How Can I Celebrate Pride Month?
There are so many ways! Of course, you can go all glitter-and-rainbows at a pride event, but if a night in watching a queer-directed movie is more your thing, that’s a great way to honor the LGBTQ+ community too.
Here are some ideas:
1. Attend a pride parade
- LA, June 8th-9th
- Chicago, June 30th
- New York, June 30th
Search on social media to find one near you!
2. Celebrate LGBTQ+ culture
Whether youre a bookworm or Netflix buff, here are some top queer recs:
Books:
- Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman
- Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson
- Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg
Movies:
- Pride (2014)
- Carol (2015)
- Moonlight (2016)
Series:
- The L Word
- Heartstopper
- Queer Eye
- It’s A Sin
You can also browse in queer artists, music, and diversify your social media feed with queer creators.
3. Support LGBTQ+ businesses and organizations
Start by finding small businesses near you, like a queer bookstore, meet-up, or cafe, or check out the LGBTQ+ businesses and organizations below.
10 LGBTQ+ Empowering Businesses and Organizations
The Trevor Lifeline
The Trevor Lifeline assists LGBTQ+ Youth, who are most at risk of suicide, with support 24/7 all year round.
The Point of Pride
Point of Pride provides financial aid and direct support to aid the well-being of trans folk.
GLADD
GLADD works towards fair, accurate, and inclusive LGBTQ+ representation in the media, to make sure authentic queer stories are seen and heard.
Rock Steady Farm
Rock Steady Farm is a queer-owned cooperative vegetable farm in New York rooted in social justice and food access.
Brave Trails
Brave Trails supports LGBTQ+ youth through summer camps, backpacking trips, mental health services, and more!
OUT For Sustainability
OUT For Sustainability provides resources and training to promote climate resilience, made by and for LGBTQ+ communities.
Meow Meow Tweet
Meow Meow Tweet is an LGBTQ+-owned brand that donates each month to mutual aid, BIPOC- and queer-led organizations.
Conscious Step
Conscious Step is a queer-owned company that creates socks that serve a purpose, from LGBTQIA+ rights to environmental advocacy.
Lovability
Lovability is an inclusive, sex-positive brand on a mission to empower women and femmes with diverse guides and products to foster sexual confidence.
Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi is an outdoor lifestyle brand that partners with True Colors United to fight LGBTQ+ homelessness, as well as sharing LGBTQ+ stories and travel tips on their blog.
We stock Meow Meow Tweet, Conscious Step, Cotopaxi, and Lovability here on EarthHero and you can browse our ‘LGBTQIA+ Empowering’ Collection for more.
If you know an ethical LGBTQ+ business you think we should stock, get in touch at [email protected] and let us know! We’re always looking to add more diversity to our marketplace!
Some Other Ways To Support The LGBTQ+ Community
Proclaim your preferred pronouns
Whether it’s on your email signature or social media bio, stating your pronouns demonstrates respect for gender diversity and normalizes inclusive language.
Speak out against discrimination
Try to challenge stereotypes and misinformation, and if it’s safe, intervene if you witness or hear about LGBTQ+ individuals being mistreated
Watch out for ‘rainbow washing’
This is when a company uses rainbow advertising or sells a rainbow product to profit off customers by suggesting support, without taking any other action or sharing any educational resources.
Final Thoughts
We hope this guide has put you in the mood for pride, and the full spectrum of what it honors and celebrates. This month, we encourage you to support the diverse LGTBQ+ businesses we’ve recommended, from leading national non-profits to inclusive brands we stock here at Earth Hero.
For Earth Hero, Pride means many things. It’s a chance to celebrate the LGBT+ members of our team, our partners, and amongst you guys: our community. It’s also a welcome reminder to amplify queer voices in the sustainability space to advocate for the protection of people and the planet and find solutions that address multiple social issues.
Happy Pride!
