Supporting the Pride Movement After Pride Month

Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce is a Member of Nonprofit Connect. Their mission is to advocate, promote, and facilitate the success of the LGBT business community and their allies. Learn more about the Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

You know the experience. You start to see profile photos of social media accounts, windows of businesses and city streets laden with all the colors of the rainbow. From flags to specialty foods, you know what day it is - June 1, the official start to Pride Month.

With roots in history, Pride Month has a rich culture and community. Here in Kansas City, celebrations happen city-wide, including Pride Fest, the parade and many businesses holding events throughout the month as well as contributing back to local nonprofit organizations. But as we start to approach the next 1st of the month, we start to see social media profile photos and city streets looking back to what they did on May 31. We would say back to “normal,” but Pride - not the absence of it - is normal. And Pride is Forever.

After the calendar shifts, it’s easy to continue celebrating Pride and the LGBTQIA+ community. By continuing to spread awareness, we continue to lift up voices and recognize the contributions that the community has made on society.

Tangible ways to support Pride month after June 30

- Actively research the history of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Located within the LaBudde Special Collections Department of the Miller Nichols Library at the University of Missouri - Kansas City is a true gem of KC - the Gay and Lesbian Archive of Mid-America or Glama. Consisting of personal and business donations of items, documents, photos and more, Glama contains a vibrant account of Kansas City’s LGBTQIA+ history. 

- Continue the social media support!

Switch from a profile photo to a frame, or even keep your rainbow profile photo up for a longer timeframe! Continually seek out, uplift and interact with Pride content. Share LGBTQIA+ creators & influencers on your feed. Stay active in local & national politics, to stay informed and to help support the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals.

- Purchase from LGBTQIA+-owned businesses.

Be intentional about where you do your shopping and what businesses you support. Actively look for those businesses owned by LGBTQIA+ owners and become a regular!

- Give back to nonprofit organizations.

There are many organizations within Kansas City and surrounding areas that are doing incredible work. From providing physical safe spaces, access to health services, education, transportation and as many services as there are colors of the rainbow, find a nonprofit organization whose mission you support - then contribute. This doesn’t have to be with just your dollars either (though if you can, consider it!). This could be through volunteerism or joining a Board of Directors/committee as well.

- Attend Pride events!

It bears repeating: Pride - not the absence of it - is normal. Throughout the year, there are Pride months, drag shows, educational and training events, and so much more to celebrate the community. Pick one and go! Introduce yourself, find a new community and continue to attend. We’d love to have you. 

- Be vocal about your support.

Stand up for LGBTQIA+ individuals and their rights in everyday conversations. Don’t let harmful stereotypes, and bigoted language exist without being called out. Your voice can lend credibility to the cause, by not allowing individuals to marginalize or de-credit the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals or the Pride movement. 

Get Plugged In

For more information on Glama, social media resources, a listing of LGBTIA+-owned businesses and supporting nonprofits, AND to join the most fun parties in KC - visit the Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce’s website at midamericalgbt.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn!

The Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce is a community of members that create, identify, and enhance business opportunities for LGBTQ+ and allied organizations through advocacy, promotion, and facilitation of the success of the LGBTQ+ business community and our allies to foster a more inclusive and vibrant economy in Kansas City and across the Mid-America region. Our guiding principles are equality, inclusion, economics, and education.

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