What started as a parade to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City, Pride Month, celebrated every June, is now a worldwide celebration of LGBTQ+ culture, achievement and activism. Different cities celebrate Pride Month in their own way, with many communities holding parades, festivals, concerts and workshops.
This year, Pride events promise to be fun, inclusive events filled with love and acceptance, with themes of resilience, freedom and resistance.
In today’s evolving world, it’s essential that we prioritize educating children about the values of love and acceptance. Classmates that have households with two dads or moms are becoming increasingly more common, making it critical to embrace and celebrate diverse family structures,
Here are six ways to celebrate Pride Month with kids and show your support and allyship for the LGBTQ+ community.
1. Know and Understand the Terms
The spectrum of gender identity includes more than just male and female. Open conversations with your kids about gender is a great way to start educating your kids about acceptance. But some parents might be intimidated by the process. This list of terms is a great primer, whether your kids are exploring their gender identity or have a gender-fluid classmate.
2. Teach Your Kids to be an Ally
Harassment can happen to kids at any age, but LGBTQ+ youth are often especially targeted. In 2022, 62 percent of LGBTQ+ youth that experienced harassment at school never reported it because 70 percent believed nothing could be done. National PTA offers great resources on how parents can advocate and support LGBTQ+ policies, laws and programs as well as strategies to create a climate of inclusion at school.
3. Celebrate at a Pride Festival
The best part about celebrating Pride with kids is that stickers, glitter and rainbows aren’t just for craft day—they’re fun Pride accessories! Take your kids to a local Pride march, parade or festival and glam it up together. It will teach them self-expression and unconditional love for others, regardless of their gender identity. To learn more about kid-friendly celebrations in your area, visit city government websites, tourist guides or check in with your school community.
4. Make (and Wear) Rainbow Art
The rainbow flag was designed in 1978 as a symbol of pride for the gay community. Since then, rainbow parade signs, flags and clothing have all become ways to show support during Pride month. Have your kids make rainbow artwork and display it around the house, at a celebration, on social media or with friends. It is a great way to get the entire family involved and show off their art skills, too!
5. Read Books About the LGBTQ+ Community
Reading is a great way to engage our kids and teach them at the same time. It’s important for children to see a reflection of themselves in books, and to learn about people with different experiences and views. Common Sense Media offers LGBTQ+ reading recommendations by age group: Preschoolers (ages 2-4); Little kids (ages 5-7); Big kids (ages 8-9); Tweens. (ages 10-12); Teens (ages 13+).
6. Have a Pride-Themed Movie Night
Not able to attend a Pride celebration? Have a Pride-themed family movie night instead, and watch shows or videos that inspire and educate. Demi Lovato narrates The Trevor Project’s “Pride Everywhere” video, which explains Pride Month. In addition, PBS’s collection of documentaries about the LGBTQ+ community is a great way to teach your kids about their history, courage and resilience.
