Every June, social media lights up with rainbows. Corporations roll out their Pride-themed logos. Parades, parties, and events fill the calendar. It’s colorful, joyful, and full of energy.
And yet, if we stop there, we risk missing what Pride Month is really about.
As a cisgender, heterosexual ally, I want to name up front that I don’t speak for the LGBTQ+ community. I’m learning, listening, and doing my best to show up in ways that don’t place the burden of education on those who already carry so much. Reflecting on what Pride truly means is one small way of practicing allyship—and a hopeful invitation for others to deepen their understanding, too.
What People Think Pride Month Is
It’s easy to associate Pride with celebration: parades, glitter, dancing, drag shows, and rainbow everything. And yes, Pride is about joy, visibility, and queer excellence. But if that’s all we focus on, we risk turning it into a feel-good commercial campaign instead of honoring its roots.
Many people don’t know that Pride began as a protest. The first Pride events commemorated the Stonewall Uprising of 1969, a response to police violence and systemic discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. It was led by Black and Brown trans women and queer activists who were fighting for survival.
So while there is so much to celebrate, we can’t forget: Pride is protest. It always has been.
What Pride Month Actually Is
Pride is about safety, dignity, and rights. It’s about standing up against hate, discrimination, and violence. It’s about resilience in the face of centuries of marginalization. And it’s about the ongoing work of building a world where LGBTQ+ people can live openly, safely, and fully.
The fight isn’t over. Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation continues to rise. Trans and nonbinary folks—especially youth and people of color—face growing threats to both their physical and emotional safety, and of their overall mental health. Pride is a reminder that visibility matters, advocacy matters, and allyship matters.
How to Be an Ally During Pride (and Beyond)
Showing up as an ally is about more than posting during June. Here are a few ways to engage meaningfully:
- Listen. Don’t assume you know what LGBTQ+ folks need. Follow, read, and amplify queer voices.
- Learn. Educate yourself on LGBTQ+ history, current issues, and how systems of oppression intersect.
- Speak up. Challenge homophobia, transphobia, and exclusion—even when it’s uncomfortable.
- Support mental health. LGBTQ+ people face higher rates of depression, anxiety, and trauma—not because of who they are, but because of how society treats them.
- Invest. Donate to LGBTQ+ organizations, support queer-owned businesses, and advocate for inclusive policies.
Allyship isn’t a badge to wear; it’s a practice. One we can commit to every day.
Pride Is Celebration and Protest
Pride holds both: joy and struggle. Celebration and resistance. It honors LGBTQ+ life in all its beauty and complexity, while never losing sight of the work still ahead.
As allies, our job is to show up not just when it’s easy, fun, or colorful. But when it’s hard, when it costs us something, when it means stepping into discomfort. That’s how change happens.
Final Thoughts: Keep Showing Up
Pride isn’t about us as allies. But we are invited to stand beside, behind, and with LGBTQ+ communities in solidarity and action.
So this June—and every month after—let’s ask ourselves: How can I show up? What am I willing to learn? What am I willing to do?
Because the rainbow is more than a symbol. It’s a call to action.
Take the Next Step in Allyship and Support
If you’re reflecting on how to show up as an ally, support a loved one, or explore your own identity, therapy can offer a meaningful space to deepen that journey. At The Catalyst Center, we’re proud to provide affirming care for the LGBTQ+ community and those seeking to grow in allyship.
To learn more about Pride’s history and ongoing impact, visit GLAAD’s Pride Month resources.
And if you’re ready to connect with an inclusive, compassionate therapist, schedule a free consultation with us today.