Wondering how to support Pride Month as a small business? Don’t know where to start? We have the answers and ideas. Below are ways to support the LGBTQIA + communities, including a brief history of this month’s importance, gifts of pride for customers and employees, how to celebrate with specials, and more.
What is the month of pride?
LGBTQIA + Pride Month celebrates the history, culture, and contributions of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender, and strangers to their communities. The month involves special events such as festivals, processions and parades. Many decorations and LGBTQ gifts are rainbow-themed. The rainbow color and the rainbow symbol LGBTQIA + represent the diversity of the community, human sexuality and gender.
LGBTQIA + Pride Month honors Manhattan’s 1969 Stonewall Uprising, a series of spontaneous protests by members of the gay community in response to a police raid on the Stonewall Inn neighborhood in Greenwich, Manhattan. The riots are considered a landmark event that transformed the gay liberation movement and the fight for LGBTQIA + rights in the United States.
What does LGBTQ mean?
LGBTQ means lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer. These terms are used to describe a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Pride Month also celebrates a range of other identities considered outside the mainstream sexual orientation. More details about the letters often associated with the month of Pride, and often included in the proud gifts, messages, and decorations include:
- The word “well” is an adjective used by some people whose sexual orientation is not exclusively heterosexual. Queer can also mean “to ask questions”.
- For transgender people, their assigned gender at birth and their own internal gender identity do not match. Transgender people may or may not move through medical procedures to change their bodies.
- Sometimes additional letters such as I and A are included, representing “intersex” and “asexual” adaptations. An intersex person is born with a combination of male and female biological characteristics. An asexual person has no sexual feelings or desires or is not sexually attracted to anyone.
- Sometimes the “+” sign is included to represent other identities.
When is Pride Month?
Seeing the rainbow scared and missed? Wondering which month of Pride? In the United States, it’s June! LGBTQ Pride Month 2022 starts on 1st June and lasts till 30th June. (Some colleges and universities celebrate April or May depending on when their students leave campus for the summer.)
What is an LGBTQ Ally?
An ally is a straight or sisgender person who supports and supports LGBTQIA + people. (Sisgender describes a person whose gender identity and gender determined at birth are the same.) Think of “friend” as a verb, not a label. A few tips for becoming friends 1:
- Listen
- Keep an open mind
- Don’t think straight of all your coworkers
- Recognize your own prejudices and prejudices
- Protect your LGBTQIA + friends, colleagues and acquaintances against discrimination
Overall, an ally believes and works with the intention that all people, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation, should be treated with dignity and respect. Your actions can be verbal and emotional support for friends and colleagues, sharing Pride Month gifts, or any demonstration of support that empowers people in the LGBT community.
When you become an ally of LGBTQ people, you help make society a better, safer place for people who are not in line with conventional gender expectations.
How can my small business support Pride Month?
It’s easy to help the LGBTQIA + community celebrate the month of pride! Here are some ideas:
Signs and social media
Let customers know that you support Pride Month by posting on your website and displaying customized signs or banners in your store or office building. Be part of local pride month activities, including booths, handouts or sponsorships.
Special products and discounts
Offer coupons and discounts in honor of Pride Month. Place Pride-themed products prominently in your window and in your store, hotel or service center. Offer LGBTQ gifts to customers and event participants. Add a special pride-themed (think rainbow) drink or menu item.
Party for Pride
Celebrate an employee in your office, or host a customer event in your bar or restaurant. Include Pride-themed customized canned coolers or promotional beverages and spread the empowering vibe outside of special occasions.
Gifts for customers and employees
Help spread Pride Month and celebrate by distributing proud gifts with your logo or slogan. We like:
Velvet Touch Malibu Sunglasses: All Pride, All Summer Long! Impress your message on the temple for visibility where the sun is shining.
Debutted with Color Phil Silicone Wristband: With this customized wristband the pride is in the air and on the wrist.
12 ″ Multicolor Beach Ball: Inside or out, this classic blow-up beach ball is fun in the air.
Full Color Everyday Commuter Drawing Backpack: Choose a bright color or go for a quirky bundle and see your customers play with each color of the rainbow.
Full color 16 oz. Ava Plastic Stadium Cup: Bright, reusable, reusable and ready for every party.
Carved 11 oz Stainless Steel Gia Wine Glass: For a picnic in a park full of prides, this Tumblr wine glass is perfect.
Mood Bicycle Bottle – 20 oz: Proud to say every mood with this color changing water bottle.
Nonwoven Fiesta Tote Bag: Bright, festive and all the style you need to carry your essentials on the parade route.
Carved Superhero Ombre Alpha Stylus Pen: This is called a “superhero” and it, the gift of this stylus pen combined with a rainbow, says it all. Distribute generously throughout the month of Pride to community members, staff, students, customers and friends everywhere.
Rainbows, butterflies, and your small business
Small business is all about community support, growth, empowerment and the power of connectivity. Similarly, your message of support for the LGBTQIA + community, including your clients, team members, and others, has a powerful impact like a butterfly’s wing. Your support gives life, strength, dignity and strength to those of us who need and deserve it.
Your smile towards a customer can turn them into days, weeks or months and they care about them and socialize with those who care about them. Likewise, Pride Month has an impact that extends beyond a single interaction or sale, regardless of your expression of support, Pride Month gift, a sign, or a sponsorship. Enjoy every ounce of progress. Enjoy the proud month with us!
Source:
- https://www.glaad.org/resources/ally/2