11 Ways You Can Celebrate Pride Month Without Stepping A Foot Outside Your Front Door
You can't keep this rainbow from shining! 🌈
June 28 marks 51 years since the 1969 Stonewall Riots brought the severe lack of LGBTQ rights into the American spotlight. Thanks to activists such as Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, we now have the privilege and honor of celebrating June as Pride Month where queer folk everywhere can celebrate everything that makes them unique.
However, with social distancing and restrictions on public gatherings in place, Pride Month 2020 is going to be a little bit different to say the least. A lot of parades have been cancelled which has left a lot of people asking, "Wait... so, how can I celebrate Pride this year?"
Don't worry, friends! Here are 11 ways you can celebrate Pride Month from the safety of your home:
1. Support LGBTQ+ artists
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Treat yourself to a work of art from a vendor on Etsy or a local LGBTQ+ creator especially if that artist is also a person of color or disabled. Not only will you be supporting queer artists, but you'll also have a one-of-a-kind piece of art that will no doubt remind you time and time again of how our uniqueness is to celebrated.
2. Buy and read LGBTQ+ books
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We all know that reading is awesome; reading queer content is even better. Check out an LGBTQ+ reading list to find book suggestions. If books aren't in the budget right now, there are many LGBTQ+ books available as e-books or audiobooks at a library near you. You can find more queer book suggestions here.
3. Promote legislative change online
Educate yourself about your local, regional, and national LGBTQ+ legislation. Are there bills that you can support or fight from home? If you feel safe doing so, contact a representative or sign a petition to support LGBTQ+ justice. Keep tabs of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation here.
4. Attend or even host a virtual Pride party
Invite your friends to a Pride celebration over video chat! Just because we're in separate places does't mean we have less to celebrate, right? You can check out Global Pride 2020 here, but there are a bunch of other options, too! A simple Google search will yield a ton of results.
5. Take care of yourself
Pride can sometimes stir up complicated emotions. It isn't always a happy experience for everyone, and with everything going on in the world right now, it's easy to feel discouraged and not exactly prideful. That's 100% valid! It's ok to take a break from social media or the news and just breathe. Take care of yourself whether that means pampering your skin with an at-home spa day, whipping up a rainbow-themed meal or dessert, following a fun workout, talking to a supportive therapist, or even doing some trans-inclusive yoga.
6. Have a solo dance party
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Take a page out of Robyn's book and dance on your own! Create a playlist with all your favorite bops, plug into your loudest speakers, and dance the night away! If you live with a roommate, your family, your significant other(s), or even your pets, make sure to invite them to dance with you! And remember – there's no need to evacuate the dance floor when the dance floor is your living room!
7. Be there for your friends and family who aren't out
For people who aren't out, Pride can be a confusing time. A great way to celebrate Pride is to make sure everyone feels safe, comfortable, and included. Even a small gesture like sending a thoughtful text could make a big difference. Never underestimate the power of showing up.
8. Donate, donate, donate
For those who are able, donating to LGBTQ causes is a great way to not only celebrate Pride Month but also to help those in need. There are several organizations dedicated to helping Black trans individuals affected by hate crimes and police violence. Now, it's more important than ever to help and protect this faction of the community. If you're interested in donating, you can learn more here.
9. Set up a Pride-themed movie night
There are a ton of great LGBTQ+ films out there ranging from eye-opening documentaries to intense dramas to feel-good comedies. Setting up a movie night with your friends using Netflix Party or any other group-streaming service would be a great way to spend some quality time and celebrate Pride!
10. Educate yourself
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As Maya Angelou said, "I have great respect for the past. If you don't know where you've come from, you don't know where you're going." With all the glitter and the glitz in today's Pride parades, it can be easy to forget that Pride started as a fight for LGBTQ+ rights. Since many of us aren't taught these lessons in school, learning more about queer history is an amazing way to pay tribute to those who fought for our right to be ourselves. Here are some amazing podcasts on queer history which we highly recommend!
11. And last but not least, virtual drag shows
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Don't miss out on the ~eleganza extravaganza~ just because of Miss Rona. Drag queens all over the world are doing their part to keep the LGBTQ+ community entertained with the help of live steaming! Following and attending virtual drag shows featuring local queens is an amazing way to support queer artists and have a blast while doing it!
So, how are you celebrating Pride Month 2020? If you have some unique ideas, feel free to share them in the comment section below! Happy Pride Month, everyone! 🏳️🌈
