Celebrating pride month in 2021
Celebrating pride may look different this year depending on the city or state you live in, but don’t let that affect how involved you feel. Through the various virtual and in-person events offered around the country, take advantage of Pride 2021, just don’t forget to stay safe, healthy, and conscious of others.
Virtual and in-person events
While some major cities may not be hosting their famous pride parades for the second year in a row, don’t let that rain on your parade. Smaller companies and businesses may be hosting more low-key events in your area. Try researching events going on in your city at local businesses (and don’t forget to support those local businesses!). Just be sure to always wear a mask, sanitize your hands, and social distance.
If you don’t feel comfortable participating in smaller outdoor events no worries! There are still a fair share of virtual events going on throughout the month of June. You can check out our resource map on havenvpc.org to see what pride centers are near you and what virtual events and talks they are hosting. One great site for finding in-person and virtual events all over the U.S. is gaycities.com.
Donate!
Donating directly to charities and non-profits is a great way to celebrate pride. This community was built on inter-community support. If you’re in a position to do so, consider donating to one of these organizations or your local pride center. The people who work at these pride centers donate their lives to helping other people, and for many, these pride centers saved their lives. A donation to them can make the difference in hiring more staff or helping more people.
Volunteer
If you don’t have money to donate, consider donating your time instead. Volunteering at a shelter, fundraising for charities, or providing support (such as with the Trevor Project) are great ways to spend your pride month and even time beyond June. Many local pride centers welcome new volunteers. In some roles, you will receive training and resources that you can use beyond your volunteering time. These local centers sometimes struggle to hire long-term workers, so volunteering with them will benefit the center, the community, and yourself. By checking out your local pride center websites, you can find volunteering opportunities. You can also find opportunities through a quick google search of your town.
Educate yourself
Pride was born out of Stonewall. History has always been very important to this community, so what better way to honor Pride Month than to learn about where it came from. Try starting with this fast facts page and then continue on to some personal research. Remember, a lot of LGBTQ+ history has been erased and straight-washed. Researching some less mainstream topics can be very educational and eye-opening. Learn about hidden history, not just from the U.S., but also other countries. Being well educated on queer history makes for better interpretation and understanding of what’s going on today in the LGBTQ+ community.
Overall, while pride may look different than years past, don’t let it change how you feel about celebrating it. Participate in smaller and virtual events. Take the time to donate and volunteer with high-impacting charities and non-profits. Invest time into educating yourself and others about queer history. Don’t worry, we’ll get back to the pride parties we know and love soon enough. But until then, stay safe and healthy.
Haven is a developing virtual pride center aimed at providing young LGBTQ+ people with a community at their fingertips. The founders of Haven come from a place of love, understanding, and commitment. Haven is a community founded by young LGBTQ+ people for LGBTQ+ people. Checkout our website, havenvpc.org, and follow us on Instagram @haven.vpc for updates on our journey.
Haven is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. You can email us at havenvpc@gmail.com.
