26 Jun Pride Doesn’t End in June. Neither Should Our Support

(“Proud Ally” by Nathan Rupert / Flickr / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 license)

Commentary, America Leon

Ten years ago Thursday, the Supreme Court established marriage equality in the United States with the Obergefell v. Hodges decision. But while undeniable social progress has been made, the fight for LGBTQ+ acceptance, inclusion and equality continues.

And while an ongoing wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and hostility threatens people’s safety, rights, freedoms and even their very lives, straight and cisgender allies need to show their support in any way they can — and not just in June.

First recognized in June 1999 by President Bill Clinton, Pride Month originated in remembrance of the Stonewall Uprising in June 1969, a series of LGBTQ+ demonstrations that arose in response to police riots at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar.

Since marriage equality became a reality, the LGBTQ+ community has seen increased visibility during Pride Month. Each June, parades and festivals nationwide celebrate diversity, unity and acceptance. Corporate America has also participated in demonstrations of solidarity, with companies swapping out their usual logos with rainbow-colored renditions or sponsoring Pride events.

But each step toward equality has been met with aggressive pushback.

Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender person elected to Congress, has been the target of deliberate misgendering and discrimination. Ohio lawmakers and members of the Supreme Court have suggested revisiting and overturning Obergefell v. Hodges. Transgender athletes are facing exclusion from sports. Corporate Pride’s demonstrations of solidarity — often seen as disingenuous —  have noticeably waned, as well as media representation of LGBTQ+ people.

And LGBTQ+ youth are increasingly vulnerable to poor mental health outcomes and at a greater risk of suicide. Yet, on July 17, the Trump administration will put an end to services specifically for LGBTQ+ youth on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

News of these political attacks, instances of social exclusion, and rampant anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments flood our phones and social media feeds. Among straight and cisgender people, these can easily be headlines that startle us fleetingly or homophobic comments we notice in passing. But all put real people’s lives at risk. We must not sit idly by as sociopolitical factors deprive people of their rights and threaten their lives.

Straight and cisgender allies can make major contributions to support members of the LGBTQ+ community who feel unsafe amid the current climate. It is time for teens and young adults to emerge from a position of genuine care and take action to combat these grave injustices — all throughout the year.

That work starts with education and awareness. The internet can help with that. We’re fortunate to have access to social media and a wealth of information online that allows us to follow and learn from LGBTQ+ advocates and stay informed about issues.

We can counteract the spread of hate and misinformation by resharing accurate educational information, resources, and causes to support, such as fundraisers for gender-affirming care. We should speak up against anti-LGBTQ+ language and engage in direct advocacy efforts, including protests and campaigns.

Acknowledging that some companies are insincere in their demonstrations of support for the LGBTQ+ community, we must also recognize our spending power. We can support queer-owned businesses and avoid purchasing from companies that back political candidates whose platforms consist of anti-LGBTQ+ policies.

Most important, we must support our friends. We need not pry or intrude; instead, we must demonstrate a willingness to listen. It is isolating to exist in a world that often alienates, excludes and ignores critical aspects of your identity. We can create inclusive spaces for people by being present and allowing them to express themselves on their own terms.

This June, while we celebrate a decade of marriage equality, we must also be aware of the issues before us and look ahead to ensure access to these rights extends into the future.

As allies, we can and must do better. From raising awareness to being there for our friends, we should stand with LGBTQ+ people throughout the year to show that Pride is more than just a month.