Happy Pride month. Every year in June the world celebrates Pride Month. This is a month-long celebration dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community and their struggle against discrimination and social ostracisation. Pride is about people coming together, to show and celebrate how far gay rights have come and how much is still left to achieve. Pride month is about equality, teaching acceptance, education in pride history, and above all, love. During this month, we educate others and ourselves about how damaging homophobia is and why we need to get rid of it. It's about being proud of who you are no matter who you love. And hence, we have listed down a few ways through which you can support your queer friends.
Acceptance is essential in every good relationship. So, first and foremost, learn to accept your LGBTQ+ friends as they are and refrain from attempting to modify or violate their beliefs. That is what a good friend does for his or her close ones; they never attempt to alter them. So, embrace and respect your buddies for who they are.
When it comes to inclusivity, remember to include your genderqueer, trans, homosexual, and bi allies just as much as you do your straight ones. Don't keep them apart from particular friends or family members, and don't establish separate groups of friends for heterosexual and homosexual people. Integration is crucial since it may assist educate friends and family members who may not have had much exposure to LGBTQIA+ issues.
Queer people are disproportionately affected by mental health problems. So as a friend, it becomes your duty to check up on them when you feel like something is off. Sometimes, they might brush you off your offers of help or support, but remember that this doesn’t necessarily mean that they don’t need it. Send them reminders that you’re there if you need them, and they might eventually reach out without hesitation when they need it.
Ask your friend which pronouns they prefer to be addressed with and use those solely when addressing them. Just make sure to acknowledge the importance of their preferences and to use them moving forward. In this manner, you are not only demonstrating your support, but also your respect for them.
Speak out against prejudice and inequity. If you notice someone using cruel language, making assumptions, or being insulting to a gay friend or family member, learn how to defend them respectfully and strive to educate people with the correct viewpoint.
Everybody deserves to live life by their own rules, fall in love with who they want to, and be their own authentic selves. So let's show love, respect, and support to everyone who we consider similar or even different from us.
