GLAM's guide to celebrating Pride 2021

June is Pride month, which is a month dedicated to celebrating the LGBT+ communities all around the world.

June is the month chosen to celebrate pride as it was the month of the Stonewall riots, the protests that changed gay rights for a lot of people in America and beyond. Pride month is about teaching tolerance, education in pride history and continuing to move forward in equality.

As Pride events continue to be cancelled due to COVID-19, GLAM's Social and Support Group have developed a guide to celebrating Pride Month 2021.

Support LGBT+ Businesses

GLAM at Pride You could visit the UK’s first Queer Emporium, which is open throughout June to promote local queer owned businesses. The Emporium is located in Cardiff's Royal Arcade, just off St Mary's Street.

If you can’t get into Cardiff during June, you could also support independent queer owned businesses on Etsy.

A large number of businesses are also marking the month with Pride related products for sale. Here is an article highlighting organisations which also donate a proportion of the profits to LGBT+ charities.

Finally, Stonewall's Top 100 Employers 2020 is also a good place to look for inclusive organisations.

Watch a TV Series

There are some great TV shows which include LGBT+ actors and positively portray LGBT+ stories to raise awareness. This can be a great way to start conversations with friends and family. Here are some recommendations from members of the Social and Support Group.

It’s a Sin, All 4
Queer as Folk, All 4
Pose, Netflix
Orange is the New black, Netflix
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, BBC iPlayer
Disclosure, Netflix
Love, Victor, Disney+
Twenties, BBC iPlayer

Watch a Film

I Pride film f you don’t have time to start a new box set, then why not watch one of the following LGBT+ films.

Pride (2014) – Available to watch on Amazon Prime
Carol (2015) – Also available on Amazon Prime
Moonlight (2016) – Oscar winner
Philadelphia (1993) – Oscar winner
Love, Simon (2018) – Suitable for all ages

Other recommendations include ‘The Color Purple’, ‘Paris is Burning’, ‘Milk’, ‘Les Chansons d’amour’, ‘My Beautiful Launderette’ and ‘Boys Don’t Cry’.

Listen to a Podcast

If Podcasts are more your thing then we’ve also got you covered with this great article by Stylist.

Read a book

If you enjoy reading, why not try one of the following LGBT+ books:

Boys Don’t Cry by Malorie Blackman
Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg
Some Body To Love by Alexandra Heminsley
The Gender Games by Juno Dawson
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Carol by Patricia Highsmith
Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman

Donate to a Charity

You could also support others this Pride Month by donating to one of the following excellent LGBT+ charities.

Galop provides confidential and independent advice and support for LGBT+ people who have experienced sexual assault, abuse or violence.

Switchboard provides an LGBT+ Helpline. It offers a safe space for anyone to discuss anything, including sexuality, gender identity, sexual health and emotional well-being.

Imaan is the UK’s leading LGBT+ Muslim charity.

Add your pronouns to your social media profile

pronouns Have you seen somebody with he/him, she/her or they/them on their email signature or their social media bio recently?

These are a basic set of pronouns and it is becoming more and more common for people to use them, and you don’t have to be LGBT+ to start.

Using pronouns is a key element of being an LGBT+ ally and is something that is effortless to do, but means the world to others.

Most social media platforms now allow you to add your pronouns to your profile.

Share information and resources about Pride Month

And finally, show your support for Pride Month and the LGBT+ community. There are many ways you can do this, such as joining GLAM (if you are not already a member), adding the Rainbow Flag to your social media platforms, sharing information and resources (just make sure they are from reputable sources) or just start a conversation with friends and family.