3 Steps for a More Intentional Pride Month Observation
Marsha P. Johnson, a Pride Month Pioneer
It’s that time of year again–the time when nonprofits and businesses roll out their observations and campaigns for Pride Month. Most of these gestures ring hollow: rainbow versions of the company logo, a one-time donation to an LGBTQ-focused organization, rainbow-colored products with cute, catchy phrases on them, or possibly a general statement of support for the LGBTQ community.
It’s all a part of a phenomenon known as “rainbow-washing”: attempts to capitalize on pride month while doing nothing to address the inequalities and violence that queer people face. Sure, rainbow-colored mugs sold at your favorite store may feel good on the surface, but all it does is give more money to corporations. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will still push through anti-gay legislation, trans youth will still be denied gender-affirming healthcare, and trans women will still be in danger of losing their lives day after day.
So how can organizations be more intentional about creating safe spaces in their workplace culture for queer employees beyond a performative gesture? If your leadership wants to make a true commitment, here are three ways to show up for the LGBTQ community:
Take stock of whether your support of queer people is aligned with your organizational values. What message do your values send to your queer employees? How do you make queer people on your staff feel safe, welcome, included, and listened to? Do you have LGBTQ people in leadership as decision-makers? How do you make an effort to use gender-inclusive language across the organization? Before showing external support to the queer community, you must start from within and really be honest about how you are showing up as accomplices who are ready to fight alongside queer people.
Put your money where your mouth is. Creating a long-term relationship with LGBTQ-focused organizations or campaigns will always be a better way to show support rather than a one-time donation. Consider making intentional, long-term investments in organizations that improve the lives of LGBTQ people in your local community.
Use this moment as a way to provide avenues to seek education about LGBTQ issues, rather than a moment of capitalizing on a monthly observation. Learn-ins about the history of Pride month or how to support queer youth, are excellent ways to begin the work of being better accomplices at the individual level.
Lastly, it’s important to remember that before the parades and festivals, pride started as a riot incited by three trans activists Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and Stormé DeLarverie at New York City’s Stonewall Inn. The best way to honor their legacy is to make a true commitment to improving the lives of LGBTQ people, starting with the ones in your own organization.
