On May 31, President Obama made an official proclamation declaring June LGBT {Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender} Pride Month, calling Americans to celebrate the great diversity of the United States and to eliminate prejudice. And here locally, the Houston LGBT Pride Celebration is happening today – June 24th.
LGBT Pride, or Pride as it commonly known, has become a space for all people to celebrate human diversity, history, and progress. Over the past several years, Pride festivities have become increasingly family-friendly with flashy parades, family-zones, and opportunities to talk about human diversity and difference.
LGBT Pride Beginnings
The first “parade” was held as a march in 1970 to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall riots — a week long uprising in 1969 between police officers and patrons of Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in New York City. While police brutality against LGBT people was common during this time, this moment marked a turning point. Almost 50 years later, all major metropolitans in the U.S. have a pride parade and festival. Pride is an opportunity to commemorate social change, highlight existing issues, and celebrate human diversity.
LGBT Pride Today
In 2016, there are over 200+ Pride events happening around the world. Wherever you live, consider attending a local Pride festival or parade. Most Pride festivals are family-friendly with music, food, and vendors. Get dressed up. {Think wigs, sequins, glitter.} Get creative. This is an opportunity to celebrate!
Ways to discuss and celebrate with our families, whatever form they may take…
For some of the logistics, start here ::
- Be an ally. You don’t have to be LGBT to celebrate Pride. Chances are you already know someone who identifies as LGBT. Use this as an opportunity to learn more and support the people you know and love.
- Do some research ahead of time. Find a calendar of events. {Note: some events may certainly be considered NSFK – not suitable for kids.}
- Prepare your kids: talk about things they might see and hear. “This Day in June” is a great book about respect, acceptance, and celebration of LGBT people. It has a reading guide with facts and figures as well as a “Note to Parents and Caregivers” with information about how to talk with children about sexual orientation and gender identity in age-appropriate ways.
- If you are attending a parade, be sure to map out the route and consider parking options. {Note: bring a stroller or wagon!}
- Just like any other outing, pack snacks and sunscreen.
- If your employer has a float or marches in the parade, consider bringing your spouse and children along. Pride parades are an opportunity for LGBT-affirming corporations to participate in the celebration.
- Most importantly… Keep an open mind.
Tips for dealing with some of the bigger questions…
- Step out of your comfort zone. In order for our children to accept diversity, we ourselves must first learn and embrace difference. One way we can do that is by seeking out cultural activities outside of our own communities. We must make an effort to seek out the unfamiliar in authentic ways.
- Talk, listen, and respond. It’s important we discuss human diversity with our children. When our little ones ask about difference, we must tune our ears to their questions and respond in ways that are age-appropriate. However, our children understand more than we often think.
- Difference exists. We aren’t all the same. And these differences are what make us special. Children have a curiosity for difference. Embrace this, and use it as an opportunity to talk about these differences rather than pretending they don’t exist.
How do you and your family celebrate diversity and difference? I’d love to know!
