Beyond Pride Month: What True LGBTQIA+ Allyship Looks Like Year-Round
Each June, rainbow flags wave high, companies roll out Pride-themed merch, and LGBTQIA+ voices momentarily take center stage.
But once the confetti settles true allyship is put to the test. If we only show up in June, are we really allies at all?
In this post, we explore what it means to be a genuine LGBTQIA+ ally—not just during Pride Month, but every single day of the year. Whether you're a friend, parent, teacher, or colleague, allyship isn’t a trend—it’s a commitment.
Allyship Begins With Listening
True allyship starts not with speaking, but with listening. LGBTQIA+ individuals face unique mental health challenges, including higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidality, especially among transgender youth. According to The Trevor Project, 41% of LGBTQIA+ young people seriously considered suicide in the past year. These statistics are not just numbers; they are lived realities with consequential outcomes.
Listen with empathy. Don’t rush to fix. Sit in the discomfort of stories that aren’t yours. Ask yourself: Am I hearing their truth, or just waiting to respond?
💡 Tip: Follow LGBTQIA+ activists, therapists, and educators online. Let their experiences inform your worldview.
Show Up, Even When It’s Uncomfortable
Allyship means standing up in rooms where LGBTQIA+ people may not be present. It means correcting a transphobic joke, challenging a bully or opposing threats made against LGBTQIA+ people, even when it’s not convenient.
It's not about perfection; it's about presence. And sometimes, presence looks like speaking up when silence is easier.
Support LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Year-Round
Mental health services that are affirming and culturally competent are essential.
Support local LGBTQIA+ doing the hard work long after Pride ends.
🔗 Resource: The Trevor Project – Support for LGBTQ Youth
Educate Yourself,Then Others
Don’t rely on LGBTQIA+ people to teach you about the facets of their world and lens. Learn the difference between gender and sexuality. Understand intersectionality, how race, class, ability, and queerness overlap to shape experiences. Then, bring that knowledge to your families, boardrooms, and friend circles.
Buy With Ethics
Buy from queer-owned businesses year-round, not just when the rainbow packaging shows up. Your dollars have power.
Allyship Is a Verb, Not a Vibe
Being an ally isn’t about identity, it’s about action. It’s less about the hashtag and more about the daily choices we make.
