June and pride go together like sunshine and rainbows.

The LGBTQ+ community has so many accomplishments and victories that deserve to be recognized. There are numerous ways to celebrate pride, so we created a list of the top 8 ways that you can partake in celebrating this joyous month.

1. DONATE TO LGBTQ+ ORGANIZATIONS

Pride is all about celebrating the resilience & beauty of the LGBTQ+ community. Consider making donations of not just money, but time, food, and knowledge. Find an organization that speaks to you and reach out, they will be delighted to welcome your support!

2. ATTEND A PRIDE PARADE

The first pride parade dates back to 1970.

For over 50 years, people have been parading and showing their support. Attending a pride parade is a fantastic way to interact with new LGBTQ+ people in your community while helping to bring awareness and support to the movement.

Many different celebrities, influencers and politicians often make appearances at these events as well. A pride parade is an amazing way to fully immerse yourself in everything the community has to offer.

Fun fact: Did you know that São Paulo, Brazil is recognized by the Guinness World Records for having the largest pride parade in the world? They have between 3-5 million people attending each year!

3. PURCHASE FROM A BUSINESS THAT IS LGTBQ+ OWNED OR ACTIVELY SUPPORTS LGBTQ+ CAUSES

Money is an important tool that can go much further than just purchasing your product or service. It can also support organizations that are aligned with your values.

There are many dedicated businesses that are either LGTBQ+ owned or actively support LGTBQ+ causes. Consider buying from one of these brands below for your next purchase!

• Love Crunch– our decadent Love Crunch granola is made with exquisite organic ingredients like Fair Trade dark chocolate and is partnered with The Trevor Project.
• Hudson Valley Seed Company– a certified organic farm and seed company owned by partners Ken Greene and Doug Mueller that practices responsible seed production and stewardship.
• DIASPORA Co. – an organic spice business owned by self-identifying queer women of color that works up the supply chain to help farmers earn more money and maintain control over the crops they grow.

To learn more about LGTBQ+ businesses, check out the USA LGBT Chamber of Commerce, or the Canadian LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce.

4. SHARE YOUR FAVORITE LGBTQ+ ART AND MUSIC

Music and art are universal languages – they have the power to bring the most unlikely people together. From Lady Gaga and Tyler, the Creator to Andy Warhol and Bernice Bing, there are countless influential artists out there that you may not even know are LGBTQ+.

Share your favorite artists and musicians for an easy way to make pride more approachable for your close friends and family. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find someone who shares your love for your favorite songs or art pieces!

5. DISCOVER NEW LGBTQ+ FILMS, TV SHOWS AND LITERATURE

Experience pride through different mediums to get a deeper understanding of LGBTQ+. Explore new movies, shows, and books with those closest to you and share your favorites. You can plan a movie marathon, start a LGBTQ+ themed book club or host a LGBTQ+ music listening party!

6. STUDY THE HISTORY OF PRIDE

Many people celebrate pride each year, but few know the origin of this yearly celebration. Familiarize yourself with the early beginnings of the LGBTQ+ community and broaden your spectrum to understand the struggle and hardships the fearless trailblazers overcame. Learning more about the history will give you a deeper appreciation and understanding of Pride.

7. BE SUPPORTIVE

Despite the significant steps forward made by the LGBTQ+ community, it can still be difficult for someone to come out and be true to who they are. Be there for those that are close to you and openly show your support, so everyone always feels comfortable to open up and be themselves!

8. PLAN A PRIDE EVENT

The best place to start celebrating pride might just be your own personal community! Gather your closest friends and family and host a themed party. Some Ideas include:

• Pride themed dance party
• Pride trivia game night
• Pride art/paint night
• Rainbow cocktail night
• Pride themed potluck
• DIY craft night

Be creative! There are many ways you can come together with your community to celebrate pride. Remember, you don’t have to limit yourself to the month of June to celebrate; use pride month to learn and explore new ways to support pride in your everyday lives!