June is Pride Month for many of us around the world. Currently, many of us are concerned about the state of the global political climate. So many of us are also wondering, just how do we make the most out of Pride Month? What aspects of Pride should we focus on?
Pride Month has become increasingly associated with celebrations and events in recent years. Yet, it’s still important to remember that Pride originated as a protest, and it remains so in some ways. A good understanding of why Pride Month exists and its history is important. To make the most of Pride Month, consider supporting members of the LGBT community. Whilst also being unashamed about your sexuality and gender identity. Celebrating Pride with the community and their allies.
So, how do you celebrate Pride whilst also being an activist? Read on and see our top 10 tips on how to make the most of your Pride Month!
10: Pride Parties
One of the easiest ways to celebrate Pride is to have a Pride-themed party! This is also a good option if you live in an area without dedicated Pride Festivals.
The best part is, you are fully in control of your party. You get to decide how many people attend and who attends. You get to choose the venue, and you decide how long it lasts.
You even get to choose the dress code, if you wish! Why not invite guests to wear animal-themed masks? Or rainbow coloured clothing only? Feel free to customize your party to your liking!
Whether you choose to go with something quiet and alcohol free, or a huge street party into the early hours, the choice is yours! This is a great option if you’re not a huge fan of attending loud, busy events. Which most Pride Festivals tend to be!
9: Knowing Your History And Your Rights
With the recent rise in right-wing ideologies in countries like the USA and the UK. You must take time to research the history of Pride and LGBT rights in your country.
It’s essential to understand the origins of Pride. LGBT people have been facing oppression for years. So to honour the efforts made by our LGBT ancestors, we must make sure their names and stories are not forgotten.
For example, a significant event in LGBT history, both in the USA and worldwide, is the Stonewall Riots of 1969. Marsha P. Johnson was a transgender woman. One of the first people to fight back against LGBT oppression and the use of police brutality.
Without Marsha’s act of defiance against oppression. Combined with the actions of other LGBT patrons at Stonewall. There would be no Christopher Street Liberation Day. Along with no subsequent Pride events all across America and the world.
Despite Marsha’s impact on LGBT rights and her identity as a trans woman. The Stonewall National Monument website recently suffered censorship. Any mention of “transgender” or the term LGBTQ has been removed from the official website, all as a direct result of Executive Order 14168.
It may shock you to find out just how recently some LGBT rights, such as marriage, were made into laws. Therefore, it is worth checking to see what rights you currently have, as well as identifying which rights you still need to fight for.
This allows you to stay aware of when other members of the LGBT community are losing their rights. For example, trans identifying individuals. You should be able to use your knowledge as a means to defend not only your rights, but also those of everyone else.
8: Embracing Your Sexuality And Gender Identity
There is a reason why it’s called “Pride Month”. Pride is about showing the world that you aren’t afraid to live your truth. That you’re proud of who you are, despite what bigots might think.
Not everyone is in a position where they can be open about their sexuality and gender identity. But you should still use this month to remind yourself that you are valid.
Your feelings on your sexuality and gender are yours and yours alone. Don’t let anyone make you feel differently if you have a suspicion that you aren’t heterosexual. Or even if you thought you were gay, but might be asexual. Use this month to explore how you identify.
Feel free to reach out to other members of the LGBT community. Ask questions and do your research. Don’t be afraid to embrace new sexualities or gender identities, even if it’s something as simple as trying on clothing designed for a different gender from your own.
Think about how your current identity makes you feel. Are you happy with it? Are you satisfied with your physical appearance? Or how do you speak? Think about the things you would or wouldn’t change. Are there traits you prefer that align with a certain sexuality or gender identity?
If exploring a different sexuality or gender identity turns out not to work for you, keep trying! Even if you end up returning to something you had already tried. Or if it turns out you are heterosexual or cisgender after all.
There’s nothing wrong with actually being brave enough to question what you identify as! Besides, allies are always appreciated! The LGBT community needs the support of allies to oppose those who refuse to listen to LGBT voices.
7: Uplifting Your Fellow LGBT Family
Pride month is also about celebrating the LGBT community. Even if you’re just an ally, it’s an important time to uplift and celebrate members of the LGBT family. No matter how small the gesture, or how few people your support reaches.
It can be as simple as writing a social media post wishing everyone a happy Pride. Or posting a photo of yourself with an LGBT Pride flag. Even just making a Pride post in a group chat works!
You can do something as small as commenting on a post. Or reacting positively to another Pride month supporting post. Any amount of small gestures helps to uplift your LGBT family! It’s a reminder that they’re seen and accepted.
You can do it on a more personal level by visiting your LGBT friends, family, or acquaintances. Please have a chat with them, bring them a gift, or make food for them. It’s important that they feel safe to be themselves, even if their sexualities or gender identities differ.
You may not even need to know the person you’re uplifting. For example, a stranger with an LGBT flag pin walks by. You can always smile and wish them a happy Pride month! Small acts of kindness can go a long way!
6: Donating To And Supporting LGBT Charities
If you’re eager to support the LGBT community directly, it’s worth donating to local LGBT charities. Or charities that are supporting the LGBT community during Pride month.
Be sure to conduct thorough research to determine which charities you’d like to support the most. It can be due to your own life experiences. Or because you know someone who would benefit from a specific charity’s support.
In the long run, you’ll be supporting hundreds of other LGBT people. Possibly even yourself, depending on what charity you support. Either way, actively helping the LGBT community is never a bad thing! Especially during turbulent times.
If you are attending Pride events, there will usually be LGBT charities fundraising. It doesn’t hurt to give away any spare change you have! Or if you’re able to do so, a bigger donation is always welcome!
Working for or volunteering with your local LGBT charities is also a great option. This is also a great way to support an LGBT charity if you are in a poor financial situation.
If you’re unable to do either option, simply raising awareness for an LGBT charity also helps! You can even choose to support smaller causes through fundraising websites. Just make sure you do your research to avoid supporting any potential scams!
5: Supporting LGBT Artists
Another simple but effective means of supporting the LGBT community. Know any LGBT artists, writers, musicians, or other creatives? Why not commission them? It doesn’t have to be something specifically Pride-themed!
Supporting the work of LGBT artists enables them to establish a stronger platform for their work. As this platform grows, they’re more likely to receive more commissions. Or even be offered professional, full-time jobs for their craft!
This, in turn, means more LGBT voices and experiences are highlighted. Being able to reach an audience beyond the LGBT community. Something valuable for keeping LGBT rights an ongoing discussion.
Don’t feel bad if your commission doesn’t blast a LGBT artist’s career into orbit. They’ll still be grateful for your support! Art is, at its heart, a way of expressing oneself. So the form of art you’re commissioning must represent you, too.
Why not commission an LGBT photographer to do a Pride-themed photoshoot? Recently bought a Silicone Bear Petsuit? You could model it during your shoot! Something to help you remember both your Pride month and your petsuit for years to come!
4: Consuming LGBT Media
Similar to supporting LGBT artists. We would also recommend consuming various forms of LGBT media. Media is another form of art, after all! A collaborative effort that utilises multiple forms of art. Creating a singular, complete product or experience.
A few examples are TV shows, films, audio dramas, or video games. Whether you’ve been intending to consume something that features LGBT characters. Or had LGBT individuals worked on the production of your chosen media? Pride month is the perfect time to catch up on your LGBT media!
Engaging with older LGBT media is also a good way to learn more about historic LGBT societal attitudes. Both from the perspective of your own country’s culture, and other worldwide cultures. You’ll be able to see how language and censorship surrounding LGBT content have changed.
This is useful to know, so you can be aware if any of these attitudes or censorship appear in modern media. Allowing you to have the critical media analysis skills needed to call it out. Media can be as dangerous as it is empowering when it falls into the wrong hands.
Consuming modern LGBT media also allows you to support more LGBT artists. Especially if an indie company produces the media you’re consuming. Larger corporations are less likely to send your money to the production team.
If you liked a piece of LGBT media, find out who made it and let them know! Most professional creatives will have some form of social media. Alternatively, you can always leave a review. Why not write a social media or blog post about how much you enjoyed it?
Even something as simple as recommending a piece of LGBT media to a friend can be effective! The more people engage with it, the more likely it is that it’ll turn a profit. Or potentially be greenlit for a sequel. Therefore, it shows there is a demand for LGBT media in the mainstream.
Ensure you engage with new LGBT media as soon as it becomes available. This is the best way to ensure that LGBT creatives involved in production actually receive payment, particularly if a larger company produces that media.
3: Embracing Eroticism Respectfully
It’s no surprise that here at Smitizen, we encourage you to embrace the erotic side of life. As much as we love the idea of seeing you in our Silicone Puppy Gimp Suit, not everyone else does. It’s important to respect that, as most official Pride events are family-friendly.
You should be unashamed about your sexuality and be able to explore it through eroticism. But not everyone will share the same attitudes towards eroticism. We encourage you to only embrace the more intense side of erotism in public at events related to it.
These will be less openly advertised than other family-friendly Pride events. We recommend you look online or check out your local gay bars. You’ll easily find information on which events are happening this way. With the added benefit of knowing you’ll be with fellow kinksters!
However, in the comfort of your own home, you can be as kinky as you like! As long as you’re not engaging in intentional non-consensual voyeurism. There’s no one stopping you from walking around in just a jockstrap and harness in your own private space.
Why not have a kink and fetish party at your home? Or ask your local gay bar if they would be interested in hosting an eroticism themed night for Pride? There are plenty of ways to embrace erotism without exposing someone unwillingly to it!
You can always represent your fetishes and kinks through their associated flags. Or try using the handkerchief code. It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with both. You can potentially find new eroticism partners to engage with this way!
2: Attending Pride Events
One of the best ways to celebrate Pride month is to attend any Pride-themed events in your area! The most obvious example is Pride Festivals, which are held in June for a majority of cities in the USA.
Other countries may have their Pride Festivals during different months. Also, be sure to attend these Pride Festivals outside of June if possible. They’re usually the most accessible and popular ways of celebrating LGBT Pride. Most are also free to attend.
However, there will likely still be some form of Pride event occurring during June! Ask at your local gay bars, check online, or keep an eye out for flyers. Even if it ends up being a small event, it never hurts to show your support for the LGBT community!
You don’t even have to attend a Pride event in person! Especially if there are none local to you. Or you may not be in a position to attend Pride events openly. Often, online Pride events are held. Whether in VR, MMO video games, or on user-focused streaming platforms.
While there is no obligation to attend any local Pride events, you should still consider doing so. The more support these events have, the more likely they are to continue. Without them, it’s easier for bigots to justify that LGBT people do not need dedicated spaces. Or even basic rights.
This is particularly important if you feel you’re in danger of losing your rights in your country. Or if you want to stand up for other members of your LGBT family. Solidarity with the affected group goes a long way.
This shows that it isn’t just the affected group that opposes discriminatory policies. Remember, Pride started as a riot. So feel free to defy the voices that say you don’t exist. Shout out and make them aware you’re here, and not going anywhere.
1: Being Unashamedly True To Yourself
No matter what, you need to stay true to yourself. However, you choose to celebrate Pride month. There is only one version of you, and it’s whatever you decide you want it to be.
You can choose to protest outside your town hall every single day. You can party and adorn yourself in Pride flags. You get to choose how to make the most of your Pride month. Just make sure you’re happy and open about who you are.
Unfortunately, this is not an option for everyone. But that is why Pride exists. We promise, one day, you’ll be able to be true to yourself without living in fear.
We will all continue to strive for a future where LGBT identifying people are widely accepted. Given the same treatment and dignity as heterosexual, cisgender people. To live peacefully as ourselves. Without fear.
Don’t be afraid to call out your friends or other members of the LGBT community. Especially if you feel like they’re justifying or enacting hateful behaviour. Behaviour that attempts to invalidate certain LGBT identities.
Question why they feel that way. Ask them if they’d still be saying these things if you identified yourself differently. One of the main ways that oppressors try to weaken the LGBT community is by dividing us. Don’t fall for it, as it may be used against you.
There is no reason to hate another member of our LGBT family just for how they identify. Even if you don’t “get” why someone might identify a certain way, do some research. Or reach out to the LGBT community to ask questions.
For those who are able to express themselves openly, please continue to do so. Don’t let anyone rip the right to be who you are away from you. Scream, yell, party, kiss, hug. Do everything you can to convey the message effectively.
“I am a member of the LGBT community. I love myself. I love my community. No one is taking that away from me or my LGBT family. I’m proud of who I am. I’m proud of my LGBT family. Until the day I die and forever onwards”.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve found our top 10 tips on how to make the most of your Pride month helpful! Whether you’re celebrating Pride month for the first time, or you’ve celebrated it for years. Please take our advice to heart and embrace Pride with your head held high.
There is no “wrong” way to celebrate Pride month. So do not feel pressured to do absolutely everything on our list! As long as your way of celebrating Pride is accepting and respectful of others in the LGBT community, along with being respectful of other cultures and races.
Suppose you see a member of our community struggling. Or if you see that someone is trying to oppress certain LGBT groups. Do everything in your power to help your LGBT family. That is how we all survive, and how we all live our truths without fear.
How do you choose to celebrate Pride month? Do you have any traditions? Or maybe there is a tip you can think of that we didn’t get a chance to mention? Let us know in the comment section below!
Want to embrace your pup side this Pride? Why not give our Silicone Doberman Dog Mask a try? Or would you like to create a mask that represents your unique personality? We also do Custom Works!
Happy Pride month to you! May you see and celebrate many more for years to come!
