Supporting Queer People Queerly During Pride
Hello everyone. I hope you are all having a great Pride! I was sad to miss Boston Pride but looking forward to attending Providence Pride this weekend. We have never gone to Providence Pride but I am excited to see what this parade and festival has to offer. Considering everything happening in the world, it is great to celebrate queer joy! I hope you and your organization are considering attending and/or sponsoring your area’s Pride event. It happens in large cities and small towns and is a great place to show the LGBTQIA+ community your support.
This week, I want to talk a little about ways that your nonprofit can support queer people in a queer way. This is mostly based on my 25 years of being active with LGBTQIA+ organizations. A few thoughts:
Don’t be judgmental about choices that LGBTQIA+ people make. That can include not being interested in relationships or in a relationship with multiple partners (such as a throuple or an open relationship). Relationships may look different for queer people. They may also be heteronormative, a monogamous dyad.
In my research, the judgement that LGBTQIA+ people get for their relationships, sexual decisions and relationship-decisions is a reason they don’t go to social service providers.
Be supportive of the LGBTQIA+ community all-year round. I know many organizations will talk about LGBTQIA+ rights in June, but there are 11 other months; I recommend talking about how you support the queer community all year round. People notice when you only show up in June.
Look at your own policies and procedures. You cannot support the LGBTQIA+ community if your policies are not LGBTQIA+ supportive. How do you make sure queer employees feel welcome in your organization? Work with HR to make sure that your organization is supportive of the community within your organization.
Work with your local LGBTQIA+ communities. This means joining coalitions and listening. Sponsor and show up to events beyond Pride, as Pride is not the end all-be all of the queer community.
Accept criticism as an ally and a learning experience, not as an attack. Sometimes, when allyship means finding out you need to step back, step up, or something you are doing is wrong. Listen to criticisms from the community when it comes in.
Come up with contingency plans for your LGBTQIA+ clients and/or staff. Right now is a stressful time for the community. How are you keeping your clients safe, and that includes your client’s data. Talk within your organization about the ways that you keep information about your LGBTQIA+ client’s safe, especially your transgender clients.
Constantly be learning and stay informed. Be aware of what is happening in the world right now.
This is not an exhaustive list but just a few ideas on supporting the Queer community. Now is an important time to show the LGBTQIA+ people within your organization that you stand with them and you understand the struggles.
Happy Pride!