Pride Month 2022: What to Know and How to Celebrate

June is the official Pride month, which was brought about to celebrate how far the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bi, transgender, queer and beyond) community has come in the fight for equality and acceptance. No matter who you are and where you come from, Pride month is a chance to celebrate your individuality. Whether you identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community or you consider yourself a strong ally, Pride Month 2022 serves as the perfect chance to further educate yourself on the history of Pride and reflect on the strides the world has made in terms of acceptance - and how far we still have to go. Happy Pride Month!

As with all holidays, one of the best things you can do to celebrate and keep it top of mind is to educate yourself on the background of how it came to be. Take some time to learn about the history of Pride month and why we celebrate it each June. Hint: the movement evolved from the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York, which was a result of control and shut downs of gay bars and laws against same-sex relations and public displays of affection. LGBTQ Month has a long-standing, interesting history - we found a great resource here!

Another great way to celebrate Pride month is to support the businesses of those that are a part of the community, no matter their expertise! Why not go try a small queer-owned local coffee shop for your morning coffee one of those mornings before work? If you need some new bedroom decor, find an LGBTQ+ owned art shop, where you’re sure to find unique, colorful art pieces to spruce up your space. 

If you’re feeling a calling to make a more direct impact on the LGBTQ+ community, donating is always a great way to do so. A few of the popular organizations include the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and Tipsy Elves’ annual charity of choice, The Trevor Project. To explore your options further, check out your local donation sites in an effort to make an impact closest to you, or explore the LGBTQ+ Charity Navigator to sort through your options.

Once you’ve educated yourself and feel you have a grasp on the history of the Pride community and what it means to be LGBTQ+ or standing as a proud ally, then comes time for the fun part - the celebrations! The most common celebrations nationwide and worldwide are Pride parades, involving floats, dancers, upbeat music and an overwhelming feeling of positivity among the crowd. There is no shortage of things to see and people to meet, with each parade-goer bringing their own unique accessory or statement piece. Pride parades are sunshine and good vibes at its finest.

Want to go all-out at your local Pride parade? Pride month clothing is known for anything that helps the wearer stand out. Any shirts, pants or accessories featuring vibrant colors or loud prints are ideal to wear to your upcoming pride parade! Another option are cheeky statement tees or tanks, and of course, the iconic LGBTQ+ rainbow is always a great choice. If a bold style isn’t in your repertoire, not to worry. Wear anything you’d like to the LGBTQ+ celebration - after all, that’s exactly what it’s all about. Acceptance and an open-minded nature is what you’ll come across at every turn when you attend an event at the Pride Month Day ahead.

When you show your support for Pride month and educate yourself on the history of the LGBTQ+ movement year-round, you can’t go wrong with any way you decide to celebrate or support the community. June might be the designated time to recognize the strides taken by the LGBTQ+ community, but remaining in support year-round is really how we continue to make a change. Now get out there and express yourself to the fullest - Happy Pride Month!