cinnamon-roots:

Happy Pride Month!

List of things to do this June:

• Make LGBTQIA friends! Shoot your shot! Make online friends, friends in person, at work, on the street. Go for it!
• In fact, make friends with anyone who is supportive
• Learn about Pride Month’s history! Educate yourself. This will serve as a reminder of where the community has been, what it’s gone through and what still needs to happen in the future.
• See the beautiful people(Not the Chris Brown song, although it was a banger back in the day) Take time to truly appreciate everyone in the community. Embrace being human, embrace love.
• Volunteer! At a pride event or a youth center. Give back to the community, help better someone else’s life.
• Help someone out. Are they having trouble with their identity? Be there for them. Let them know that they are loved.
• Get your movies on. Love Simon, Paris is Burning, Carol, Laurence Anyways, God’s Own Country, Call me by your name etc
• Watch When we rise
• Learn. Ask people about their experiences, their pasts. Let them tell you their stories. 
• Find LGBTQIA singers, actors, Youtubers, artists, writers and businesses and support them.
• Put yourself out there! Go on dates. 
• Go to art exibits, dances, shows, concerts and anything else LGBTQIA-related.
• Go to a parade or march.
• Feel free to use social media to see LGBTQIA posts, but stay away from the negative stuff. Yes, angry people will follow you, but this month isn’t about them, it’s about you. If what you read online is going to bring your mood down, then ignore it.
• Similarly, if you face negativity on the streets, remember that your safety comes first, your happiness comes first/ Rise above their negativity and focus on being the amazing person you are.
• Hate crimes unfortunately still exist so stay safe, make sure you know where your friends are, don’t drink anything that you haven’t had eyes on for the whole time, no drinking and driving, take an Uber if you feel unsafe at night(because of predators). 
• Don’t pressure people to label themselves. Some people still don’t know who they are and they are just trying to figure it out. Don’t let anyone try to force you into labeling yourself either. 
• Reach out. I’ve talked a lot about helping others and being there for them, but if you personally feel unhappy or in a bad headspace, reach out. I don’t care if it’s to a parent, sibling, friend or someone online, but just do it. There are helplines to call and if you just feel the need to talk, find someone supportive online. 
• Be happy. This month is for you babes. It’s all for you.