Pride and Support

By Steven Campa

2 min read

Throughout pride season we see many businesses and corporations slapping pride colors on anything and everything. But there are so many other ways to show your pride or to support the LGBTQ+ community.

Showing real support as an ally

The easiest way to support is to attend pride as an ally and show that you support the community.
This can be by walking in the parade or attending the actual pride festival with a friend or family member who may be a part of the community.

You can research the triumphs and tribulations that this community has endured and really understand the reason behind the Pride Parade and what it truly means to the community. There are so many documentaries that are available on streaming platforms that everyone can educate themselves on ranging from Stonewall to the global pandemic of HIV/AIDS.

Learning about the Progress Flag

Another way to show your support and your pride is by hanging a pride flag outside your home. We cannot forget that there are so many different forms of the pride flag now and that you should understand what all the colors mean on your specific flag. We should also be representing trans individuals as well as people of color on these flags.

progress flag with a red ribbon signifying HIV/AIDS awareness

Giving back to the community

Another way to show support is to volunteer your time at organizations that work with the community and to really give back.

A few ways that I show my pride and support for my community are by the work that I do for a living. I oversee sexual health and education programs that target the LGBTQ+ community. I create safe spaces for these communities to come and talk about their trauma, experiences, and opinions.

Creating these spaces is one of the best ways to show your support because I remember what it was like being a young individual learning about my identity and not knowing where to go. These community spaces are created to break down stigma and address stereotypes within our own community.

Another way that I show my pride is by not only walking in the pride parades but also walking in the AIDS Walk every year. I am not only a proud gay man but I am also a strong confident HIV positive man as well.

Find your way to support

There are so many ways that someone can show their pride or to show support for the LGBTQ+ community. By simply being a shoulder to cry on or someone to rely on is support enough sometimes. Even giving someone, you know and love resources for something that they may be facing or going through can go a long way.

Make sure to familiarize yourself with policies and legal matters that affect the LGBTQ+ community not only in California but around the world.

I hope that since pride season is now emerging that the community really takes a look at better ways they can support and be an ally for the community rather than simply putting the rainbow flag on everything. We should see more representation of the LGBTQ+ community all year round and not simply during and around the month of June.

What are other ways to support the LGBTQ+ and HIV communities?

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Heather Renee Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="Steven Campa" user-id="2048109"/> This article is so informative. I love how you explain ways for individuals to be an informative Ally. I know I feel awkward buying random pride items, unless it is from an organization that is tied to the community. When I was married, my step-daughter was a part of the community. Her mother actually expected us to tried to shame her from being who she was, but we had been prepared for one of the boys to announce at anytime that he was gay. So we were prepared with a lot of love and support. We also made sure that both of our families supported her. If their opinions were different they could go elsewhere with that nonsense. In many ways, I have been an Ally since I was a teen and my best friend said she was bi. I can honestly say, since becoming a member of the HIV community, have I learned even more about being an Ally. I have also learned just how important Pride month is for the deeper reasons. I cannot thank you and everybody else who has continued my education enough. Thank you. Sending lots of love - Heather Renee (team member)
Khafre Kujichagulia Abif Moderator
Alafia (Peace) I would suggest that we not erase Bisexuals during the Pride season and throughout the movement work of the LGBTQ communities and flags. Khafre (H-I-V.net Team Member)
Ze Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="Steven Campa" user-id="2048109"/> Thank you for another enlightening article. I appreciate you calling out the realism of companies using symbolism to receive capital. We have seen companies use these same tactics with the BLM movement, and Juneteenth. I believe this marketing does bring attention to organizations. I advise people to definitely do research into their own communities, as you touched on. Many of us live near big cities, which have so many events. A good tool to use is social media, and search those hashtags. I hope all of us can continue to push for acceptance of all. -Ze (H-I-V.net Team Member)