Celebrate Pride Month in June

PRIDE Month is an annual celebration to acknowledge and celebrate the LGBTQIA+  community and work toward equal rights and justice. LGBTQIA+ is an acronym used to refer to people who identify as “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, and/or Asexual.” The “+” is included to refer to other identities that may not be specifically represented in the acronym with an individual letter. 

Whether you identify as LGBTQIA+ or not, take time to learn something new about the community and share information about PRIDE History and LBGTQ+ rights with those around you. LGBTQIA+ youth often experience higher risks of stigma, victimization, depression and isolation than non-LGBTQIA+ identifying youth.  Providing extra support for these young people may help them in confronting challenges as well as in improving their sense of well-being and belonging.

If a young person in your life identifies as LGBTQIA+, let them know that you care about them and appreciate them and who they are. This could be done in small gestures such as wearing a “Pride” rainbow button or larger ones such as attending PRIDE events – like the parade or a musical performance – together.

Pittsburgh PRIDE events will be held June 7-9, 2019. Visit the SisTers PGH and Pittsburgh PRIDE websites for more information about PRIDE and events happening in the city.