5 Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Pride From Anywhere
Whether you're a member of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, there's no effort too big or too small to celebrate Pride Month.
Depending on where you live, your opportunities to celebrate may feel limited. But trust us, there are way more options than you think.
Keep reading for five meaningful ways to celebrate Pride Month from anywhere.
1. Attend a Parade or Other Local Celebration
This is the most obvious and most popular way to support the LGBTQ+ community. While pride parades have been common in bigger cities for the last several years, smaller towns are beginning to recognize the importance of these celebrations. The crowds at these parades are beyond welcoming, so even if you don't feel especially connected to your community, this is a time to grab anyone you know and join in on the happy festivities. It's your excuse to wear whatever you want and an opportunity to connect with like-minded people while embracing a day (or weekend) of love and acceptance in the company of music, food and plenty of bright colors.
2. Host Your Own Celebration
What better way to honor this important month than by organizing your own festivities? Turn on an upbeat playlist, put some light bites in the oven, grab some colorful balloons, put together a box of brightly colored hair and makeup products, and invite your closest friends and members of the LGBTQ+ community to enjoy a day of embracing who you are. Share uplifting stories, rehash monumental life moments and celebrate the ties the bind you. If having the celebration at your own house seems like too much of a hassle or is uncomfortable for whatever reason, set up shop at a local park instead. People can come and go freely and there's much less cleanup.
3. Post Something Meaningful on Social Media
Whether it's a loving photo of you and your S.O., a solo shot of you in deep thought, a pic of you and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, or a touching personal essay, posting something meaningful on social media can be a powerful way to tell the world you're happy to be you and that you love the community around you.
If you post a photo, tell a story in the caption. Talk about how you came to embrace who you are, and mention anyone who inspired you along the way. Express why it's important to accept yourself and why you wouldn't change yourself for anything. Everyone has their own journey, and getting a chance to learn about yours can inspire someone else.
4. Encourage Others to Share Their Stories
While sharing something special online is important for the world to see, encouraging members of the LGBTQ+ community to tell their stories in person is especially meaningful. Some peoples' journeys to self-acceptance and happiness have been rockier than others', but, regardless, everyone has a story to tell. It's often therapeutic and empowering for them to talk about their experiences and relationships with friends and family, and you showing genuine interest will not only show them how much you care, but it will make them feel heard.
5. Volunteer
There are a slew of LGBTQ+ organizations across the country. While some are more accessible than others, most of them encourage people to share their stories with the organization online or offer a donation option if actual in-person volunteering isn't practical. Make a friend or family member's day by donating to an LGBTQ+ org in their name. Or, if you live nearby, grab a pal and spend some time helping out.
If there's a pride parade or some pride-centric event in your area, this is an awesome, easy way to volunteer. Find the event's website and contact someone involved. Also, if you're looking to connect with more people in your community, volunteering is your best bet; the other people involved have your goal in mind, too.
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