Pride Month!
Happy Pride Month, y’all! June is the official start of summer and time to celebrate Pride Month, and I cannot think of a better combo. I want to use this post to express joy, share love, and celebrate community. No matter what your gender expression, gender identity, sex, and/or sexual orientation, ASAFTC welcomes you here. We recognize that pride should be celebrated all year long, so we take action by providing LGBTQIA+ healthcare and LGBTQIA+ inclusive sex education. We want to celebrate all kinds of love and personal expression by publicly showing support to all of our LGBQIA+ friends and family.
Here are three ways to uplift your LGBTQIA+ community during Pride month.
Learn the history of Pride
Do you know why we celebrate pride? Some may think Pride started with marriage equality because of the Supreme Court ruling on June 26, 2016. However, the origins of Pride Month started with trailblazers in the 50s. Pride month has such a rich, radical history, so let’s celebrate by acknowledging the roots. Let’s honor those who came before us for their hard work and sacrifice for LGBTQIA+ rights. Googling Stonewall Uprising and Marsha P. Johnson for a good place to start!
Attend a Pride Event
There are many great ways to celebrate Pride Month, but one popular choice is Pride Parades, especially in cities with a strong LGBTQIA+ community and history. However, there are plenty of other opportunities that offer a fun learning experience like picnics, film festivals, runs, etc. The LGBTQIA+ community is so diverse, so there are a variety of events to suit different interests and niches. While there is still an ongoing fight of equal rights to the LGBTQIA+ community, we can still celebrate everything accomplished so far. TriPride is August 27th in Bristol, TN - we’ll have an informational booth, come stop by and say hi!
Donate to LGBTQiA+ organizations
The LGBTQIA+ community is a remarkably strong and resilient community; thus, it is important to give back to help fight for the advancement of LGBTQIA+ rights. Activism is the heart and soul of the LGBTQIA+ community, so let’s get involved. Choose an organization that advocates for issues that interest you. You can donate money, time, network, and even knowledge to show your support. May we recommend our friend and neighbor The Pride Community Center of Johnson City?!
Interested in birth control but are concerned about cost, transportation, or provider choice? call/text us at 423-415-0277 or visit us at ASAFTC for more information.