June Is Pride Month: Here’s How You Can Show Support for Your LGBTQ+ Friends

Every June, we celebrate Pride Month—a time to honor the LGBTQ+ community’s history, struggles, and incredible contributions to society. But Pride is more than just rainbow flags and parades. It’s about standing in solidarity with those who have fought (and continue to fight) for acceptance, visibility, and equal rights.

Whether you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, here are meaningful ways to show your support this Pride Month:

1. Educate Yourself

Support starts with understanding. Take time to learn about LGBTQ+ history, terminology, and the challenges faced by the community. Read books, watch documentaries, follow LGBTQ+ creators, and seek out first-hand stories. Knowledge helps dismantle bias and fosters compassion.

2. Speak Up Against Discrimination

Silence can feel like betrayal. If you hear someone using slurs, making jokes, or dismissing someone’s identity—speak up. You don’t have to be confrontational, but calmly challenging harmful behavior shows your values and makes a difference.

3. Support LGBTQ+-Owned Businesses

Put your money where your heart is by shopping at LGBTQ+-owned stores, restaurants, and creators. Many small businesses also donate a portion of Pride Month proceeds to important causes—double the impact!

4. Use Inclusive Language

Words matter. Using someone’s correct name and pronouns is a powerful sign of respect. If you’re unsure, ask politely or share your pronouns to create an open, inclusive space.

5. Show Up to Pride Events

Whether it’s a parade, a community fundraiser, or a virtual panel, showing up in person (or online) demonstrates solidarity. Remember, Pride isn’t just a party—it’s a protest, a celebration, and a statement all in one.

6. Donate to LGBTQ+ Organizations

There are countless nonprofits doing vital work in the community—offering housing, mental health support, legal advocacy, and more. A few to consider:

  • The Trevor Project

  • GLSEN

  • Human Rights Campaign

  • Transgender Law Center

  • PFLAG

7. Listen to Your LGBTQ+ Friends

Let your friends know you’re here for them. Check in. Ask how they’re feeling. Let them share their stories without judgment or interruption. Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is simply listen.

8. Make It a Year-Round Commitment

Supporting the LGBTQ+ community shouldn’t stop when June ends. Be the person who makes inclusive choices, advocates for equity, and stands up for what’s right all year long.

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Here are some great books to read or recommend during Pride Month—a mix of memoirs, fiction, and educational reads that reflect the diversity, resilience, and beauty of the LGBTQ+ community:

🌈 Memoirs & Nonfiction

  1. Untamed by Glennon Doyle
    A powerful memoir about breaking free from expectations and embracing one’s true identity, including her love story with Abby Wambach.

  2. The Queer Bible edited by Jack Guinness
    A celebration of LGBTQ+ icons written by modern queer voices—fun, enlightening, and deeply inspiring.

  3. How We Fight for Our Lives by Saeed Jones
    A raw and poetic coming-of-age memoir from a Black, gay man growing up in the American South.

  4. Sissy: A Coming-of-Gender Story by Jacob Tobia
    A witty and insightful memoir exploring gender, identity, and defying societal norms.

  5. We Have Always Been Here by Samra Habib
    A beautifully written memoir by a queer Muslim woman navigating faith, identity, and finding her voice.

💖 Fiction

  1. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
    A romantic, funny, and heartwarming story about the First Son of the U.S. and a British prince falling in love.

  2. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
    A fictional Hollywood icon tells the story of her secret love and life as a bisexual woman in a heteronormative world.

  3. Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
    A coming-of-age historical fiction about a Chinese-American teenager discovering her sexuality in 1950s San Francisco.

  4. They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
    A moving young adult novel about love, identity, and living fully—even with a ticking clock.

  5. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
    A whimsical and deeply affirming fantasy about found family and loving who you are.

📘 Educational & Advocacy

  1. Queer: A Graphic History by Meg-John Barker & Julia Scheele
    A fun, accessible introduction to queer theory and LGBTQ+ history—perfect for visual learners.

  2. The Gender Identity Workbook for Kids by Kelly Storck (for families)
    A thoughtful, age-appropriate tool to help children explore and understand gender identity.

  3. Trans Like Me: Conversations for All of Us by CN Lester
    A deeply thoughtful and inclusive look into the trans experience that invites empathy and reflection.

Pride Month is a celebration of authenticity, courage, and love. As allies, it’s our job to ensure that the spirit of Pride is lived—not just worn. Small, intentional acts of support can make a big impact in the lives of those around us.

So this June, don’t just wear the rainbow—be the reason someone feels seen, safe, and celebrated. 🌈

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