Twelve Ways to Support LGBTQ+ Rights This Pride Month

Pride Month, celebrated every June, celebrates and honors the LGBTQ+ community’s history, resilience, and ongoing fight for equality.

Have you ever wondered how Pride Month began, or why it’s held in June? It actually traces back to a pivotal moment:

On June of 1969, a police raid at the Stonewall Inn—a gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village—sparked an uprising. At that time, police frequently harassed and raided LGBTQ+ spaces, but that night, the community fought back. For six days, protests and clashes filled the streets. Although the incident at Stonewall wasn’t the start of the LGBTQ+ rights movement, it became a powerful symbol of resistance and galvanized activists across the country.

One year after Stonewall, on June 28, 1970, activists organized the first Pride parade in New York City. Similar marches took place that year in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago, marking the birth of annual Pride events.

Over the decades, Pride has grown into a global movement—with parades, rallies, festivals, and events celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, as well as demanding equal rights and honoring those we’ve lost to violence, discrimination, HIV/AIDS, and other injustices.

Pride is a space for visibility, remembrance, resistance, and celebration. It reminds us how far we’ve come—and how much work remains.

Right now in America, the LGBTQ+ community—especially trans people—is facing an unprecedented wave of political, social, and legal attacks. Across the country, we’re seeing a surge of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, including bans on gender-affirming care, restrictions on trans youth participation in sports, book bans targeting LGBTQ+ stories, and efforts to roll back hard-won civil rights protections. Hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people, particularly Black and Brown trans women, continue to rise. Amid this climate, where certain politicians and members of society are trying to essentially “erase” an entire community, being an ally is a moral imperative.  

So whether you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, here are some ways you can show your support this month—and every month.

· Educate Yourself and Others. Learn about LGBTQ+ history, terminology, identities, and current issues. Read books, watch documentaries, attend workshops, or follow LGBTQ+ creators and influencers. The next time you hear misinformation, disinformation, or stereotypes, you can confidently counter ignorance (intentional or not) with the facts.

· Be a Keyboard Warrior. Amplify LGBTQ+ voices online by sharing posts, articles, art, stories, books, poetry, music, and more by creative members of this community.

· Advocate for Inclusive Policies. Contact your lawmakers, workplace leaders, or school board to advocate for nondiscrimination protections, inclusive healthcare, gender-neutral bathrooms, and LGBTQ+ affirming policies.

· Support the LGBTQ+ Community with Your Pocketbook. Shop from LGBTQ+ artists, authors, musicians, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. Leave positive reviews and recommend them to friends. Economic support can sometimes speak as loud—or louder—than words!

· Support LGBTQ+ Organizations. Support the cause by contributing time or money to groups like The Trevor Project, GLSEN, Trans Lifeline, or your local LGBTQ+ center. These organizations rely on volunteers and donations to provide important services and advocacy.

· Be Visible. Show your support through visible signals: wear a T-shirt with a supportive message, display a small pride flag or sticker, use inclusive language, and include pronouns in email signatures. These signs let LGBTQ+ people know you’re a safe, supportive presence.

· Be Vocal. Words can hurt, so don’t remain silent when you hear a harmful comment. Speak up against homophobia, transphobia, or harmful jokes in everyday conversations—at work, among friends, or with family. 

· Focus in Inclusivity. Encourage inclusive policies, forms, training, and events at your workplace, school, or community spaces. Advocate for environments where LGBTQ+ people feel respected, seen, and valued.

· Speak Out. Make your voice heard by writing letters to media outlets, submitting opinion pieces, or posting on social media in support of LGBTQ+ rights and visibility.

· Support LGBTQ+ Youth. Volunteer with LGBTQ+ youth programs, offer a safe space, or simply be a trusted mentor in a young person’s life. LGBTQ+ youth often face unique challenges and need affirming support.

· Join a Protest. If you’re able, join protests and marches advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, trans justice, and equality. Showing up in public spaces helps amplify collective voices and push for systemic change.

· Attend Pride Events. Activism isn’t just about fighting oppression—it’s also about uplifting queer love, art, joy, and resilience. Share and celebrate LGBTQ+ culture, achievements, and creativity by join Pride rallies, festivals, and community events. Pride is a time of joy, visibility, and solidarity—your presence shows public support and helps create safe, inclusive spaces.

One of the best ways of supporting LGBTQ+ rights and being an ally is to remember it’s a commitment that continues well past June. Small, consistent actions can help build a better, more inclusive world all year round.

If you or someone you know needs support for LGBTQ+ mental health or identity concerns, we’re here to help. Contact us at 734.203.0183 ex. 700, info@deepwatermichigan.com, or click here to send us a message.