The COVID-19 pandemic put a pause on in-person pride celebrations last year, forcing us all to celebrate our LGBTQ friends and family from afar. With hope on the horizon with new vaccinations and efforts to combat the spread, some areas of the globe will get the chance to ring in Pride Month together again. That means looking your best and shining bright like a diamond to celebrate the rainbow.
Attending Pride Events
Across the United States and internationally, Pride celebrations will happen in-person to some extent this year. Pride 2021 is effectively happening throughout the summer across the globe. In New York City, social distancing will still impact the annual demonstration commemorating the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, a pivotal moment in the modern gay rights movement. The same goes for San Francisco Pride, as SF Pride remains one of the oldest LGBTQ celebrations, honoring “generations of resistance”.
Things will be a bit more towards normality at Sydney Pride, as Australia has seen remarkable success in their abilities to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Some countries have opted to slightly delay their celebrations outside of the LGBTQ awareness month of June. In Berlin, Germany, the party will kick off in July, while the festivities will happen in Copenhagen, Denmark in August. It’s important to remember that if you don’t feel comfortable with an in-person event just yet, most LGBTQIA organizations are offering up virtual events to unite to celebrate gay and lesbian rights. The most important thing is to celebrate life and the progress being made daily.
Dressing with Pride
Celebrating Pride is about honoring our LGBTQ brethren, and for members of the community and their allies, it’s a time to live unapologetic as their authentic selves. Everyone wants to sparkle and shine among the crowds at Pride festivals throughout the globe, so it’s important to not only feel comfortable in what you’re wearing, but also in your own skin.
The shine of lab created diamonds is just like that of natural diamonds, but without the concerns over how they are obtained. Synthetic diamonds are manufactured through a high pressure-high temperature process that compresses these lab diamonds into gems of the same carat, cut, color, and clarity of a natural diamond. Not only are they eye-popping, but they’re certain to attract attention if you wanted to show that love is love by getting down on one knee during a Pride celebration. Don’t be afraid to stand out. Imitation diamonds can be flawlessly created to look like the real thing, but that doesn’t mean you should be an imitation.
Being a Better Ally
Recognizing the LGBTQ community for their true selves and their role in our everyday lives is an important part of Pride month for allies to understand. However, they hold a valuable role in the fight for equality. Several nonprofit organizations provide great resources for allies to understand what their support can mean to the LGBTQIA community. Organizations like the Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, and the Trevor Project, not only welcome donations, but also your time and effort to do better for your fellow person.
While you may not be a member of the LGBTQ community yourself, you likely know someone who is a part of the rainbow. They may not be able to even be public about it just yet. One of the best things an ally can do is ask questions to get a better understanding of what the movement is all about, different properties of the queer community, and how pronouns can make all the difference in celebrating a person’s authentic self. Any helping hand, and one of genuine concern, is welcome in the fight for equal rights.
