Celebrating Pride Month

Pride Month, celebrated every June, honors the LGBTQ+ community's resilience and progress in the fight for equality. It commemorates the Stonewall Riots of 1969 and is a time to celebrate love, acceptance and the ongoing struggle for civil rights. Here are ten ways to celebrate and support LGBTQ+ Pride Month in our community:

  1. Attend a Pride Event in Ohio — Ohio hosts a variety of Pride events throughout the state. Check out the 2024 OHIO LGBTQ+ Pride Guide for an interactive map and detailed event listings by city and date.
  2. Expand Your Knowledge on LGBTQ+ Health Needs — Current and future health care professionals can better support LGBTQ+ people by staying informed about their specific health needs. The National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center offers various learning resources for providing inclusive care.
  3. Be Mindful of People Who Aren’t “Out” or Don’t Want the Spotlight — While Pride Month is a time for celebrating identity, it's important to respect individuals who don't feel comfortable discussing their sexuality. Avoid putting anyone in the spotlight unless they agree to share their experiences voluntarily.
  4. Volunteer with an LGBTQ+ Nonprofit — Get involved by volunteering with local organizations like the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland or PFLAG Cleveland.
  5. Stream the Pride Month Collection from PBS — PBS offers a collection of documentaries that celebrate LGBTQ+ history and culture.
  6. Share Your Pronouns — Openly sharing your pronouns during introductions and email signatures can promote an inclusive environment. This simple step can help people feel more comfortable sharing their own pronouns and prevent misgendering. Learn more by visiting the NIH Sexual & Gender Minority Research Office's resource on Gender Pronouns and Their Use.
  7. Watch an Inspirational Speech — Harvey Milk's "The Hope Speech," delivered in 1978 at San Francisco's Gay Freedom Day parade, serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for equality and the importance of advocacy.
  8. Support LGBTQ-Owned Businesses — Being a customer of LGBTQ-owned businesses in Ohio is another way to uplift the community.
  9. Play Pride Month Trivia — Engage in some fun and educational activities like playing Pride Month Trivia. Try this Kahoot to test your knowledge about LGBTQ+ history and culture.
  10. Support a Cause — Supporting LGBTQ+ charities and nonprofits is a meaningful way to contribute to the community.

Beyond Pride Month

While Pride Month is a special time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, support and advocacy need to be ongoing throughout the year. By continually promoting inclusivity and educating ourselves, we can ensure that our community remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone.

--Submitted by CV Garcia, assistant Director, Inclusion and Engagement, cgarcia1@neomed.edu

 

June 4, 2024
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