Youth's Lives Every Day
Pride season is here! And it isn’t just for LGBTQ+ people to celebrate. Allyship is an important part of Pride Month, especially for LGBTQ+ young people. Research shows that having just one accepting adult in their lives can lower an LGBTQ+ young person’s risk for suicide.
To demonstrate allyship, the most important thing you can do during Pride is show the young people you care about that they matter and trust their experience. In Trevor’s recent survey, LGBTQ+ young people reported their top ten actions adults can take to show support: “trusting that I know who I am” was number one. Here are a few more ways to show your support for LGBTQ+ youth during Pride and all year long.
How to Celebrate Pride with Allyship for LGBTQ+ Young People
Decorate Your Space
If where you live or work is a safe space, put your allyship on display with flags, rainbows, or other signs of support for the LGBTQ+ community. This gesture might feel small, but seeing your support is a symbol of safety and celebration that can mean the world to a young LGBTQ+ person.
Wear Your Pride
Whether it’s as small as a rainbow pin or as loud as a Pride T-shirt, wearing your support on your sleeve can go a long way. Showing your support in visible ways can help young LGBTQ+ people identify you as a safe, supportive ally who has their back.
Let Someone You Care About Know You Support Them
As an ally, odds are you’ve already shown your loved one support through your actions, but telling them with your words can be powerful — even life-changing.
Don’t assume the young person in your life already knows how you feel. Hearing your direct support can let them know that someone truly cares about them. This could be through a simple text, a card or letter, or a heart-to-heart conversation.
Plan Something Special
If going to a parade or Pride event isn’t possible or safe for the young person in your life, you can still celebrate! Ask them what would make their Pride celebration even better with open-ended questions: “What can I do to support Pride for you?” or “How would you like to celebrate Pride?” Help make plans tailored to them with their guidance, like treating them to their favorite restaurant, planning a party, or just spending some quality time together doing something they enjoy. The most important thing is showing that you see and celebrate who they are.
Educate Yourself
The more you know about the LGBTQ+ community, the more you can be a helping hand. When you already know about an issue or term, it can take the burden of explaining off of young people. It also lets them know you care about their experiences. New research, terminology, challenges, and wins are constantly emerging, so you can never do enough learning! Check out our resources to get started.
Educate Your Community
Educating your friends, family, and community helps build safer and brighter futures for LGBTQ+ people year-round. You don’t have to be an expert! Saying, “I support LGBTQ+ people” across your social spaces, introducing yourself with your pronouns, and helping others understand LGBTQ+ identities can make the difference—from supporting LGBTQ+ suicide prevention to boosting LGBTQ+ joy.
If you don’t know something, it’s okay to admit that as you help educate others. Work with respect and suicide prevention as shared values: “I’m hearing you, and I think we both could benefit from learning more about that topic. What I know is that I want to build safety for LGBTQ+ young people to help prevent suicide and that includes respecting who they are.”
Attend Trevor’s Public Education team’s Ally or CARE training sessions to learn more LGBTQ+ supportive strategies.
Advocate Against Anti-LGBTQ+ Policies
Anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation has increased in recent years and made a direct harmful impact on LGBTQ+ youth, causing up to a 72% increase in suicide attempts among trans and nonbinary youth. Now is a critical time to stand up against harmful laws. For ways to advocate for LGBTQ+ youth on a state and national level, see our advocacy resources.
Make a Donation
Supporting an organization that helps young LGBTQ+ people is one of the most impactful things you can do as an ally. Plus, Pride month is an excellent time to give with many opportunities to have your donation matched, making your impact even bigger.
When you donate to the Trevor Project, your gift goes directly to life-saving services like our 24/7 crisis hotline.
Raise Awareness
Donations aren’t the only way you can support a cause you care about. Raising awareness through social media or word of mouth can give visibility to stories that deserve more attention — and they don’t always have to be stories of crisis or social issues. Stories that celebrate the LGBTQ+ community can help break down stigma and add joy to Pride season.
Join a Pride Walk or Run
Show up for Pride at a walk or run and, if possible, invite the young person you care about to join you! If there isn’t an event in your area, you can still participate. Many organizations host virtual Pride runs and walks that allow you to join wherever you live. However you choose to participate, showing your allyship publicly helps create a supportive environment for the young LGBTQ+ people around you.
Volunteer Your Time
From parades to protests, Pride Month couldn’t happen without volunteers! There are many opportunities to volunteer during Pride season and all year long, whether that’s by doing administrative duties, helping run in-person events, or becoming a mentor with a local youth organization. The Trevor Project offers opportunities to volunteer remotely as a crisis counselor, so you can support LGBTQ+ youth directly, no matter where you live.
