【Peggy Markoff】

Sure,Peggy Markoff LGBTQ Pride Month is partly about rainbows, glitter, and house music. But make no mistake, it's also a time for impact.

Especially in the Trump era, uplifting the LGBTQ community needs to be a priority this Pride Month. President Donald Trump, for instance, hasn't even officially declared June as LGBTQ Pride Month, which many advocates say is a reflection of how his administration views LGBTQ people.

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That's why support for the community is so essential — this June and beyond.

Between the drinking, dancing, and drag queens, it's vital to take time to support the needs of LGBTQ people. Whether you're straight or LGBTQ-identified, there are countless ways you can make a change this Pride Month.

If you want to celebrate with meaning, here are a few suggestions to get you started.

1. Donate to impactful organizations

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There are countless nonprofits doing important work to support the LGBTQ community all year long. If you have the financial ability to give, consider donating during Pride Month to sustain their efforts.

Find an organization that speaks to you or teaches you something new about LGBTQ life. If you aren't sure where to start, organizations like the National LGBTQ Task Force, the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, Service & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE), Immigration Equality, GLAAD, and the National Center for Transgender Equality cover a wide range of issues within the community.

2. Fight for policies and protections affecting LGBTQ people

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The Trump era has brought new and increasing attacks against the LGBTQ community, from rolling back the rights of transgender people in public facilities to a religious liberty order opening the door for LGBTQ discrimination by businesses, including hospitals, on the basis of personal belief.

This Pride Month, get familiar with the policies and laws currently legalizing discrimination of LGBTQ people — and fight back. Call your representatives to express your concern. Go to a local Equality March on June 11. And, finally, share your outrage by educating others on the policies negatively impacting LGBTQ people in your state.

3. Support local LGBTQ safe havens

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LGBTQ community centers are vital places for queer people of all ages to connect and find acceptance. But these safe havens are often underfunded and struggle to stay afloat. That's where you can come in to make a difference.

Consider supporting your local center with a donation, or by volunteering your time and skills to the center. If you need help finding an LGBTQ center near you, check out this locator.

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4. Take time to support homeless LGBTQ youth

It's estimated that 40 percent of homeless youth are LGBTQ, often disowned from their families for their sexuality or gender identity. Dedicating time to vulnerable queer youth during Pride Month — and beyond — is vital to ensuring the next generation of LGBTQ people have the support they need to thrive.

Donate to dedicated LGBTQ homeless youth shelters like The Ali Forney Center in New York City or the Ruth Ellis Center in southeast Michigan. Many LGBTQ youth centers also take clothing and toiletry donations to support queer homeless youth. Reach out to your local center and see how you can have an impact on their homeless population.

5. Advocate to make your own workplace more inclusive

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One in four LGBTQ employees report experiencing employment discrimination in the last five years, while transgender people have twice the unemployment rate of non-trans people. In 28 states, queer people can be legally fired for their sexuality. In 30 states, transgender individuals can be legally fired for their gender identity.

Needless to say, working environments for LGBTQ people nationwide are anything but welcoming. But you can help by improving your own work environment for present and future queer employees. Find out how your workplace protects — or doesn't protect — LGBTQ workers. Ask about implementing gender-inclusive restrooms. Encourage HR to create a group for queer employees to connect. Demand that managers are trained on how to support LGBTQ workers. Call out microaggressions — or not-so-microaggressions — even when it's uncomfortable.

Make sure inclusive policies are in writing so inclusion is deliberate, not questionable.

6. Connect with LGBTQ elders

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We often don't hear enough from the older members of the LGBTQ community — and that needs to change. This Pride Month, make an impact on the life of a community elder by giving them the space to be heard.

Reach out to a local SAGE chapter to volunteer with aging LGBTQ people, or connect with an elder in your own life. Simply listen to their stories of struggle and resilience. Ask what they want out of the current movement, and what they want younger generations to know.

Hearing the stories and perspectives of those who came before us is essential to knowing where we've been, and illuminates where we need to go. Plus, connecting with elders helps curb the loneliness and isolation aging members of the community often experience.

7. Mentor an LGBTQ coworker or child

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Mentoring and uplifting marginalized groups is vital for their success — and the queer community is no exception. LGBTQ people often have trouble envisioning themselves in a stable, successful future, given the rampant discrimination and bias they're up against. Having supportive mentors, then, is essential to help brilliant LGBTQ people rise to their potential.

Take time to connect with an out coworker in a junior position, and talk to them about their goals and obstacles. Give them tactics toward success, connections for growth, and become a professional ally. Or connect with an LGBTQ child who could use a queer mentor to help them see a successful, happy future for themselves.

Make mentorship a priority in June — but keep up those connections long after Pride Month has ended.

8. Share your story

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During Pride Month, it's essential for LGBTQ people to share their stories. Whether it's telling your coming out story on social media, telling friends what your identity means to you, or getting candid in a blog post about a harrowing experience with discrimination, sharing your story is crucial.

Not only is it cathartic to speak about your experiences as an LGBTQ person, but it can have an impact on queer people who are struggling to know they're not alone. And sharing your story is also the first step to changing the hearts and minds of those not yet on board with LGBTQ acceptance.

Speak up, loudly and unapologetically. You deserve to be heard.

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Topics Activism LGBTQ Social Good