5 Ways You Can Support the LGBTQ+ Community

"The beauty of standing up for your rights is [when] others see you standing and stand up as well." --Advice columnist Cassandra Duffy.

While we like to support the LGBTQ+ community all year long, June is a month dedicated to them.

This Pride Month, we want to show you five ways you can support the LGBTQ+ community.

Donate to a Charity

One of the easiest ways to support this community in June is to donate to an LGBTQ+ charity or organization in your area. You can call around your city to see if there are any organizations, charities, or businesses that support LGBTQ+ lives. Or, here are a few places you can donate to online.

• Start Out
• SAGE USA
• The Trevor Project

Shop from LGBTQ+-Owned/Friendly Businesses

Did you know that there are loads of LGBTQ+-owned/friendly businesses that you can shop from? We definitely recommend you shopping at any place local that supports the cause before heading online. If you are looking for online businesses, here are a few:

• Clothing & Accessories: Otherwild
• Beauty: Fluide
• Home Goods: Erdo + Ko
• Gifts and Goodies: Pumkinfish

Be an Advocate

The best way to show your support is to be an advocate. Stand up for any LGBTQ+ person who is being outcasted, bullied, harassed, or harmed. Spread love, not hate everywhere you go. Educate people who are acting ignorant or do not have the correct information. The best way to help others understand the community is to open others' hearts and minds.

Show Up for LGBTQ+ Events

As an advocate, showing up for LGBTQ+-centered events will help you show your support for the community. In June, there may be a few parades or parties dedicated just to Pride Month. You can even support your favorite drag queen at their next performance. You can find many events or parties online on social media or websites like Eventbrite.

Make LGBTQ+ Friends

You can easily support this community by making LGBTQ+ friends. Same-sex relationships are still widely looked down upon in many parts of the world. These individuals are harassed, bullied, segregated, and harmed. Many LGBTQ+ people are looking for their group of friends to help through thick and thin. If you truly wish to support the community, the best way is to make friends within and be authentic with them.

These were just five ways you can support the LGBTQ+ community this Pride Month. Do you know any other ways?