Pride Month

Allyship in Meetings: How to Celebrate and Support Your LGBTQ+ Attendees

Adorned in colorful parades and lively music, Pride Month is a time to celebrate diversity and self-expression. Pride Month creates a sense of liberation as people openly express themselves surrounded by a community that supports and celebrates them. During Pride, cities across the world ignite with waves of colors, music, and festivals that inspire both participants and onlookers to remember what defines this month: Love.

Why do we celebrate Pride?

The Stonewall Uprising of 1969 was a series of events spanning six days and is considered the catalyst that brought LGBTQ+ activism to mainstream media attention. Often lost in the narrative are the decades of activism that preceded Stonewall, led primarily by people of color and gender non-conforming individuals who were the most visible “lawbreakers.”

The first Pride marches were held in 1970, when thousands of LGBTQ+ people gathered to commemorate the first anniversary of the Stonewall uprising and demonstrate for equal rights.

Today, Pride is a reminder of the ongoing fight for equality and a beacon of hope for a more inclusive future. As people gather to celebrate, they also remember the milestones achieved and the challenges that remain, reinforcing the commitment to justice and equal rights for all.

How do you make your events more inclusive?

Looking toward Pride month and beyond, creating a welcoming environment is key when planning any successful event. Small changes can go a long way in making people feel welcome. Here are five strategies to get you started:

1.      Communications: Use inclusive language and imagery in your marketing and promotional materials. Celebrate the diversity of your audience in your media to make everyone feel valued and represented.

2.      Respect Pronouns: Provide pronoun badges for all attendees to wear, ensuring that no one feels singled out.  Continue to show your support daily by including your personal pronouns in your email signature and encouraging others to do the same.

3.      Partnerships: Collaborate with local LGBTQ+ organizations and community groups to co-host events, provide resources, and promote inclusivity.

4.      Visibility: Include LGBTQ+ people in your programming as speakers and panelists.

5.      Just Ask! Solicit feedback from LGBTQ+ attendees on their experiences and suggestions for improvement.

Can I go to Pride if I don’t identify as LGBTQ+?

YES! Pride is for everyone who wants to celebrate individuality and acceptance of all people. There are dozens of Pride events happening all summer long in the Chicago-Land Area. Find a Pride event near you HERE!

Fun for the whole family!

The Queer Fam Pride Jam – June 2

Pride Jam celebrates LGBTQ+ families, kids, and allies with all-ages activities like dance lessons, DJ sets, performances and more in the North Pavilion tent from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Followed by the Chicago House Music Fest program.

Chicago Pride Fest - June 22 & 23

Pride Fest features live music on three stages, a Youth Pride Space for teens, best of Chicago drag performance, the Proud Pet Parade with prizes, dance exhibitions, Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, guest speakers and over 150 food and merchandise vendors.

Chicago Pride Parade – June 30

The Chicago Pride Parade is one of the most popular LGBTQ+ events in the city. Now in its 53rd year, the Parade concludes the city’s month-long celebrations with a four-mile procession held on the last Sunday of June. The parade makes its way through Uptown, Lakeview, and Lincoln Park. This year 125 contingents will take part, making it one of the largest events of its kind in the country.

Submitted by: Jared Ellis-Pérez (He/Him/His) on behalf of the IDEA Committee