June is PRIDE Month, a time to celebrate, honor, and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and its contributions to our world. While PRIDE events are often vibrant and joyous celebrations, this is also a time to take action and support those who identify as part of this community. Volunteering can be a powerful way to demonstrate allyship, promote inclusivity and equality, and enhance the well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Being an LGBTQ+ ally means many things. First, it means supporting LGBTQ+ people and educating yourself about their challenges. Being an ally also involves speaking out and advocating for the LGBTQ+ community and the rights of those who belong to it. The Human Rights Campaign has published a helpful guide to being an ally, which includes tips on how to support LGBTQ+ individuals in your life.
LGBTQ+ community centers serve as sources of support, resources, and socialization for people with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Similarly, LGBTQ+ youth programs assist young people experiencing bullying, family issues, and even homelessness due to their identities. Both community centers and youth programs often need volunteers for roles ranging from mentoring and running programs to assisting with events and recreational activities.
Volunteering for advocacy organizations like the Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQ+ advocacy group in the U.S., can help advance LGBTQ+ rights and promote legislative change. Activities may include canvassing, phone banking, writing letters to legislators, and participating in rallies and voter mobilization efforts. The Center is another valuable resource, providing information on upcoming legislation, advocacy opportunities, comprehensive family and community resources, and other volunteer roles.
According to research by The Trevor Project, 41% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, with transgender, nonbinary, and people of color reporting higher rates than their peers. The Trevor Project provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth aged 13 to 24 and relies on volunteers for outreach and initiatives. For those interested in helping older adults, the SAGE organization offers a monthly volunteer orientation at its center in New York City. SAGE provides a variety of volunteer opportunities, including making friendly visits, supporting events, providing clerical assistance, and more.
Being an ally can also mean supporting LGBTQ+ businesses with the dollars you spend. Choose to shop at LGBTQ+-owned establishments. Use directories and apps like the Gay and Lesbian Pages and the Pride Mobile app to find LGBTQ+-owned and LGBTQ+-friendly businesses. Additionally, the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce is a valuable resource for discovering such businesses.
Several national organizations offer volunteer opportunities to support LGBTQ+ individuals and their needs. GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality provides volunteer opportunities for healthcare professionals and allies to promote health equity. These initiatives include provider training and policy advocacy to eliminate common barriers to healthcare access and equality.
LGBTQ+ cultural and art events play a crucial role in celebrating diversity and promoting visibility. For example, Outfest, the leading LGBTQ+ film festival in Los Angeles, welcomes volunteers to assist with various aspects of the festival, including film screenings, panels, and special events. Lambda Legal, a nonprofit law organization dedicated to achieving equality and recognition of LGBTQ+ civil rights, offers volunteer opportunities for attorneys and legal professionals.
If you’re looking for more ideas and opportunities to support LGBTQ+ people, visit www.createthegood.org and use the search term “LGBTQ.”