Celebrating Pride month is right around the corner! Although Pride events typically happen in larger cities, they have slowly started to branch out into smaller towns and communities. Celebrating Pride in these smaller settings can present both challenges and opportunities for LGBTQ+ folks.
This post will look at how allies in smaller sized towns can support their LGBTQ+ residents, provide safe spaces, and create an inclusive environment for all queer folks.
Embracing Diversity in Small Towns:
Small towns are often known for their “tight-knit” feel where everyone seems to know each other. This can create a sense of belonging and community. However, this closeness can sometimes seem surface-level or fake when diversity shows itself.
Unfortunately, many small towns lack diversity in race, culture, sexualities, and gender identities. Having a lack of diversity can cause offensive language and hateful perspectives towards these oppressed groups. There’s no reason to create an unsafe space for people who are different from you. Let’s promote acceptance and celebrate diversity in these spaces!
One way to create a safe environment for queer folks is by organizing community events that celebrate LGBTQ+ culture and educate the entire community. These events may include LGBTQ+ focused film screenings, community discussions, art exhibitions, and Pride parades or festivals. When small towns include these experiences, they help normalize and celebrate diverse sexual orientations and gender identities within the community.
Another way to create a safe environment for queer folks is by respecting their privacy. If someone comes out to you, please do not share that information with anyone else.
Celebrating Pride Month Empowers LGBTQ+ Youth:
Queer youth deserve access to educational resources and counseling services. These resources can help them navigate topics related to their identity, discrimination they may face, and their mental health. Investing in the well-being and empowerment of LGBTQ+ youth will help equip them to be the next generation of leaders and advocates. We need more people in powerful positions to stand for equity, equality, and inclusion for all.
LGBTQ+ youth may have limited resources in these smaller communities. This is why it is very important to empower and provide resources for them to feel supported. Kids and teens deserve to feel safer in their schools, at home, and in the community. Support networks that allow young individuals to connect with each other save lives. Please check out The Trevor Project for more on mental health and LGBTQ+ youth.
When Elis was in high school they remember wanting to go to Pride. But as a minor without adult support at the time, they weren’t able to go to the big city Chicago pride. This is why celebrating Pride month in small towns is so important! Not only is it more accessible, it is also a great way for parents to connect with their children.
Khali and Elis loved being out and proud at smaller Pride events in Iowa City when they lived there. They were able to dress up, watch friends perform, support local businesses, and take up space in their town as a confident queer couple. It’s beautiful to see a community, ages young to old, coming together to celebrate diversity and love. Elis always sheds a few tears of joy at Pride events.
Becoming Allies and Advocates:
Although LGBTQ+ folks are everywhere, building relationships with the rest of the community can help build and educate allies. Many people who are choosing to be hateful towards LGBTQ+ identities are uneducated about this diverse population and/or feel threatened, scared, or embarrassed because of what their current beliefs taught them. Have some grace towards these individuals, as they may be willing to understand, but aren’t quite sure where to start.
In today’s society, it’s important to work together and to listen to others who have different backgrounds than you. Ultimately, the goal is to create an environment where everyone is accepting and supportive, whether they understand or not.
To continue to build LGBTQ+ allies and advocates, folks in small towns can partner with local businesses, religious organizations, and other community groups to promote LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion. This may spark fundraisers that can fund training programs and workshops. Funding can educate the community about LGBTQ+ members and how to dispel misconceptions and prejudices.
Trainings can be especially important for police departments, healthcare workers, and people in the local government. People in these positions need to know how to rightfully serve everyone in their community. A great resource to check out regarding human rights is the Human Right Campaign at https://www.hrc.org/.
Navigating Challenges Towards Celebrating Pride Month
Unfortunately, it can be difficult to get everybody on the same page and to be kind to each other regardless of who you are as a person. We all come from different backgrounds, experiences, and beliefs. This said, small towns can address these challenges and continue to work towards equality and respect for all in its community.
Just because the town may receive backlash from certain parts of its population doesn’t mean that LGBTQ+ individuals will simply disappear. These are real people, too, and deserve to live their lives like anybody else.
To overcome any uproar in the community, towns can open up a dialogue with community members who hold opposing views and try to find a common ground to help bridge gaps and learn respect. As we mentioned before, it’s okay if it takes time for people to learn and it’s important to continue to educate these individuals.
Calling all allies! This is where you come in. It’s exhausting to advocate for your existence AND run a support group. Many LGBTQ+ folks do it, and for them we are so grateful. That being said, they deserve help and support. Monetary donations as well as respite care are often valued by LGBTQ+ folks working with and for the community.
Conclusion
Are you or someone you know LGBTQ+ and in a small town? You’re not alone! Whether you’re a kid, young adult, or senior, your identity matters and deserves to be respected. Don’t stop advocating for yourself and others and remind yourself: you deserve to be here.
Khali knew in her heart and soul that she deserved to be here – even with little support from her small town high school. This photo is of Khali when the United States Supreme Court declared to protect marriage equality in June, 2015 (click to read more). Khali was in high school when this historical event happened, and felt support from her high school’s Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA). All queer youth and teens are worthy of being seen and feeling heard; out and proud groups like GSA save lives.
You can help by preparing educational resources for parents of LGBTQ+ children, petitioning for local laws to change to better support queer folks and offering fun LGBTQ+ events for kids and families in your small town.
What you do and say matters, don’t let other people’s thoughts, feelings, and perspectives stop you. Celebrating Pride month within smaller communities is not just a fun celebration for LGBTQ+ identities, it’s a commitment to justice, dignity, and respect for everybody. Embrace your identity and celebrate others in your community. Happy Pride Month!
