How to Celebrate Pride Month as a Family
Pride isn’t just parades and rainbows. Today more than ever, parents are finding it especially important to teach their kids from an early age that there are many ways to identify and love one another, and to stand for a more inclusive world.
“I celebrate Pride with my kids every year,” says Amelia Edelman, mom of two, ages 3 and 9, in Nashville. “As a queer mom, it’s super important to me… There’s a community here to lift us up and rally around each other in support of whoever they happen to grow up to be, and whoever they happen to love.”
Even with younger kids, it’s never too early to find meaningful ways to celebrate Pride—in June and beyond. Read ahead for a few ideas.
There are plenty of LGBTQ±themed books for babies and toddlers—maybe you can even find a Pride storytime at your local library. Some age-appropriate book examples include Love Makes a Family, Pink Is for Boys and Pride Colors. "In our house, we celebrate Pride all year long through a diverse selection of picture books that exemplify queer values like building self-love and confidence, practicing community care, honoring boundaries and consent, and appreciating others for the unique people they are,” shares Zoë Bossiere, a genderfluid parent of a 3-year-old in the Pacific Northwest. “This June, we’re planning to commemorate the month by teaming up with the local queer center to host a storytime event.” Edelman says her family reads books like I Am Jazz, Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope, Pickles + Ocho “and other stories that normalize queer and trans narratives and families.”
Attend Pride Month family programming at your local library! High attendance will not only guarantee a gay old time, but it’ll encourage cities to have more LGBTQ+ events in the future.
Finding a parade, family-friendly festival or another fun event is a fun way to celebrate Pride with your family. Some people go all out and dress up or bring flags—or make treats like rainbow cookies. “We love baking themed cookies and treats to share with our friends and family, and showing up to our local Pride march in full rainbow regalia," says Bossiere. “We go to the Pride parade and festival in downtown Nashville—this year, 4 Non Blondes are playing and I don’t know who’s fangirling more, me or my 9-year-old!” shares Edelman. If your kids love face-painting, Pride is a great time for a rainbow face!
If a parade feels a bit overwhelming, consider a family Pride picnic in your community, “or perhaps drawing pictures representing love and support and handing them out to people in the community,” suggests Liz Owen, vice president of strategic communications and external relations for PFLAG National.
Displaying a Pride flag on your house sends a simple but important message to your kids and community. Talk about what the flag stands for and encourage questions and conversation. You can also embrace other small behaviors in your daily life that model your support and allyship (for example, using people’s correct pronouns). "Supporting LGBTQ+ [people] in your life can happen during Pride Month, and throughout the other 11 months of the year too,” says Zach Eisenstein, director of communications at The Trevor Project. Remember, your kids are watching your every move. Gricha Raether, dad of two in San Francisco, sums it up best: “It’s not about celebrating, but about solidarity, action, recognizing and simply humanity.”
Even a small amount donated to the LGBTQ+ organization of your choice—such as PFLAG National or The Trevor Project—can go a long way, and even better if you’re able to voice your support on social media. "As a family, we recognize Pride Month by actively using our social media platforms, digital tools and real-world reach through organizations we collaborate with, to raise awareness, amplify LGBTQ+ voices, and stand up for inclusion and dignity,” says Raether. “We make it a point to use any privilege we have to protect vulnerable groups whenever we can.”
No matter how you show your support, make sure to center LGBTQ+ people, says Owen. “If you’re a parent or family member, consider asking your LGBTQ+ kids and family members if and how they’d like you to participate,” she says.
Finally, continue to support LGBTQ+ people during all the other months of the year too. “Remember that Pride is a 24-7-365 opportunity to uplift, affirm and celebrate LGBTQ+ people. It doesn’t have to be June for you to don your rainbows and head out the door,” says Owen.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Zach Eisenstein is the Director of Communications at The Trevor Project, which specializes in crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ young people.
Liz Owen is the vice president of strategic communications and external relations for PFLAG National, the largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.
Real-parent perspectives:
- Zoë Bossiere, genderfluid parent of one in the Pacific Northwest
- Amelia Edelman, mom of two in Nashville
- Rachel Parsons, mom of two in Chicago
- Gricha Raether, dad of two in San Francisco
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