Celebrating Pride Month: Supporting Our LGBTQIA+ Youth

June 05, 2024

This year, Pride Month marks the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, where people from the NYC LGBTQIA+ community courageously fought back against police brutality and government sanctions against their sexualities and gender identities. Each year since, communities have gathered to celebrate their authentic selves while standing against discrimination that continues to create barriers to many basic human rights such as housing and healthcare. With so many policies and legislation targeting the LGBTQIA+ youth in recent years, it is more important than ever to be their fearless advocates and unrelenting supporters in the face of worsening
discrimination.

We know that the mental health impacts of these laws and social attitudes have devastating impacts on young people, with nearly 40% of LGBTQIA+ youth seriously considering suicide within the past year*. Depression, anxiety and trauma-related concerns are disproportionately higher in LGBTQIA+ youth compared to their peers, and there is an increasing threat of violence and harassment due to legislation restricting their use of medical care, bathrooms, school sports participation and access to LGBTQIA+ friendly books and classroom discussions. One of the most important things we can do for LGBTQIA+ youth is to accept them and give them access to affirming spaces. For some of us, we may not always know how to do this and it can feel uncomfortable to know how to respond. Below are a few suggestions for how you can be a support and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ youth in your life:

• Trust them when they tell you who they are. It can take enormous courage to come out, and being questioned or doubted can feel hurtful and may lead to a lack of trust in the relationship.
• Reassure them nothing has changed. Even if you need time to sort through your emotions about their sexual or gender identity, be clear that you still love them and will be there for them.
• Respect their boundaries. Sometimes people think it is okay to ask LGBTQIA+ folks intimate questions about their bodies and sexuality. Don’t ever ask about past names or surgery unless they bring this up and welcome discussion.
• Support their gender expression, even if it makes you uncomfortable. This includes practicing their pronouns and embracing changes to their appearance.
• Accept their partner(s) and welcome them to events. Join them in LGBTQIA+ affirming spaces and broaden your social network to include people from different backgrounds.
• Speak up when you see discrimination. Advocate for them with their school and challenge bigoted language when you see it. Contact your representatives about discriminatory legislation in your area.
• Keep learning about LGBTQIA+ issues and history. The more you understand and know, the easier it will be to support your loved ones without asking them to educate you along the way.
• Wave a Pride flag, use inclusive language, attend a PFLAG** meeting, make a Pride post on social media.

Chicago Pride Resources

• Chicago Pride Parade – https://chicagopride.gopride.com/info.cfm
• The History of the Pride Parade in Chicago – https://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/131307025
• Pride Festivals in Illinois – https://www.enjoyillinois.com/plan-your-trip/travel-inspiration/pride-festivals/
• Pride events in Chicago – https://chicagopride.gopride.com/events.cfm
• Kid Friendly Pride Month Events in Chicago – https://www.chicagoparent.com/things-to-do/guides/pride-month-events-for-families/
• LGBTQIA+ events throughout the year – https://www.choosechicago.com/articles/festivals-special-events/lgbtq-chicago-events-through-the-year/
• WTTW Pride Month Programming – https://interactive.wttw.com/playlist/2024/05/29/pride-month-2024-programming
• LGBTQIA+ Adult Reading list – https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/the-read-down/the-ultimate-book-list-for-pride-month/
• LGBTQIA+ Youth Reading list – https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/15-lgbtq-books-for-kids-and-teens/