While rainbow flags fly in Portland all year long, June feels like riding a unicorn through a confetti disco palace. It’s Pride Month, a celebration of LGBTQIA+ identities, and you, dear ally, are invited! Here are some tips about how to respectfully enjoy Pride as an ally and family member of an LGBTQIA+ child.
- Mark your calendar! Celebrations happen throughout the months of June and July but the main events are one weekend only.
Portland Pride Waterfront Festival: Tom McCall Waterfront Park
Saturday, July 20, 12pm-8pm & Sunday, July 21, 11:30am-6pm
Portland Pride Parade: begins at North Park Blocks, ends at Festival
Sunday, July 21, 11am
- Let your child take the lead, even if that means collecting every rainbow pin and sticker and shimmery Pride swag at the festival. This is an opportunity for you and your child to experience a fully-supportive community. It’s especially powerful for those who have felt the need to code switch or hide in their cis(gendered), het(ero)centric school or work environment.
- Experience the Portland Pride Parade, the largest parade in Oregon. There are few experiences as uplifting as hearing the crowd cheer and dance in celebration of LGBTQIA+ identities. Does your child want to watch? Arrive early and nab a good spot along the route. Does your child want to be in the parade? Email info@pflagpdx.org to find out how to march with PFLAG.
- Practice pronouns! Pride events are the perfect places to commit to using correct pronouns. Look for pronoun pins/stickers, and show your allyship by wearing your own. (Many booths will have them for sale or for free.) Don’t know someone’s pronouns? Just ask.
- Educate yourself. Chat with representatives at the booths, and learn about local resources and ways to be an active ally all year. Remember that Pride started as a protest.
- Call out homophobic, transphobic, or queerphobic behavior. Your child will remember that you stood up for them and their community.
- Support your local affirming businesses. Are any of your neighborhood restaurants or shops hosting Pride events or offering special discounts? Support affirming businesses, and show your child that their neighbors love them.
- Think of Pride as a birthday party. You’ve been invited and are welcome, but remember that this celebration is about your LGBTQIA+ child and their community.
For more information, visit https://portlandpride.org/
Photo by Christian Lue on Unsplash