June is Pride month…
Usually, it’s a time for parades and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. However, with COVID-19 continuing to limit (or delay) how we’re able to mark the occasion, things are undoubtedly a little different this year. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t a number of excellent ways to celebrate.
To help inspire you, here are just five great ways you can still be celebrating Pride in 2021.
Pride events
Unlike last year, many of this year’s parades haven’t actually been cancelled (fingers crossed). However, many have been postponed – with Manchester Pride currently scheduled for the August Bank Holiday weekend (August 27-30) and London Pride hopefully taking place on Saturday 11th September. At the time of writing, only Trans Pride London (26th June) is currently scheduled to take place in June.
Luckily though, there are still a number of online events you can participate in – whether they’re in your local community, or worldwide.
First up, there’s YouTube Pride, a virtual celebration featuring special performances by the likes of Tyler Oakley, Trixie Mattel, Kim Chi and many more.
Some other great events to shout out are the Bi-Fi Festival and UK Black Pride – but there are plenty more out there. And with many parades streaming from around the world, even if you can’t be there in person you can still celebrate.
Try looking for local and online Pride events on Eventbrite to help get you started.
Celebrate Pride at work
Luckily, Pride isn’t something many of us need to keep out of the workplace.
In fact, many employers actively encourage inclusive events within their organisation throughout the month. This might include everything from informative talks by those within the community, through to QAs, team building events and more.
At reed.co.uk we’re hosting a Pride Lunch and Learn session this year, featuring thought leader and Ted Talk speaker, Jackie Handy. We’re also running a series of listening and discussion groups, plus wearing rainbow colours every Friday to help raise money for LGBTQ+ charities.
If you’re not sure what’s on offer where you work, reach out to the HR team to see what events are taking place.
Add to your LGBTQ+ reading list
Another way to celebrate Pride is by celebrating those who have helped make it happen.
It could be books which focus on gay rights trailblazers, such as Stonewall by Martin Duberman, THE BOOK OF PRIDE: LGBTQ Heroes Who Changed the World by Mason Funk, or We Are Everywhere by Matthew Riemer.
It could be modern day classics like The Colour Purple by Alice Walker, Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman, or If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo.
There are literally thousands of options out there.
Harper’s Bazaar and The Independent both have reading lists to start you out with – but please let us know in the comments if you have any recommendations to include in this article.
Meet-ups
There are lots of different options for meet-ups throughout June. Whether this is meeting up physically or virtually.
Aside from a number of COVID-19 compliant events being organised around the country, many in the LGBTQ+ community are hosting digital meet-ups as part of Pride. Some examples we’ve seen include coffee mornings and online brunches, group mediation sessions, book clubs and other virtual socials.
Not sure where to look? Meetup and Eventbrite are good starting points, plus many local newspapers have compiled lists online to help signpost meet-ups within their community.
And it doesn’t have to be with complete strangers either. Even something as simple as setting up group calls with friends can be a great way to celebrate Pride together.
Give back to the community
Finally, Pride isn’t just a time to celebrate. It’s also a time to give back to the community – and to enact change.
Pride in London has created a community hub which includes loads of helpful resources for supporting LGBTQ+ groups. There’s information about some great charities you can donate to, links to petitions to help enact change, and advice on how to volunteer to help support its events.
Other great ways to support the community include purchasing your Pride products from retailers who use their funds for LGBTQ+ progressive causes, and contacting local LGBTQ+ shelters and centres to see if you can volunteer.
Because even if things are still a little different this year, nothing can stop you having Pride.
If you have any suggestions to add to this article, please comment below, or message us on Twitter @reedcouk.
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