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June is Pride Month when we honor the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to history on a global level. The LGBTQ+ community celebrate their freedom of self-expression alongside the fight for equal rights and the creation of an inclusive society. It's critical to support and promote LGBTQ+ reforms to build a positive world that is accepting of diverse individuals and communities.
What is LGBTQ+?
LGBTQ+ is an acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. The "+" in the abbreviated form acknowledges the existence of other sexualities not covered by the widely understood acronym. The percentage LGBTQ+ community in America accounts for around 7.1% percent of the population and is estimated to have $1 trillion in purchasing power.
What is Pride Month?
Pride Month traces back to the 1969 June, Stonewall Riots. The rebuttal to a police raid on a minority community sparked a rebellion and opposition against discriminatory treatment. It ignited the Pride movement, leading to the establishment of Pride Month, which we now celebrate throughout June every year. While Pride Month honors the successes and key milestones of LGBTQ+, the community still faces tremendous challenges. There is a clear gap for growth and progress that can be done not just in the sixth month of the year, but all year round.
Let's not back down— here are 5 LGBTQ+ Organizations we can support this June and beyond.
GLSEN: Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network
The core concern of GLSEN is LGBTQ bullying in schools. Established in 1990, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) works to ensure a safe and conducive studying atmosphere and a supportive educational environment where LGBTQ students can learn and progress without the negative impacts of bullying. Bullying of LGBTQ youth is not uncommon, compromising the prosperity of their mental and physical health. The group is substantially more likely to be insulted, verbally abused, or even violently assaulted. GLSEN combats school bullying and is committed to establishing a safe and inclusive K-12 learning environment for LGBTQ students.
GLAAD: Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAD), founded in 1985, is a non-profit organization that works to protect gays and lesbians. A coalition between the two communities that work with the media organizations to remediate false propaganda or misinformation and combat media defamation. GLAAD works to eliminate homophobia and discrimination based on gender expression. The organization supports an inclusive, equitable, and factual representation of individuals on all networking sites. GLAAD also includes members of the BQT community, further increasing its voice for cultural transformation across the globe.
SAGE: Advocacy & Services for GLBT Elders
SAGE has been active in New York City since 1978. It is the oldest organization in the United States, actively serving the older members of the LGBTQ community, a group that is frequently overlooked. The organization promotes care for the elderly by engaging policymakers and developing protracted care services. LGBT elders seek the help of certified LGBT crisis operators through a national hotline about health care services, counseling, and even legal assistance.
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project, since its inception in 1998, helps young LGBTQ people with crisis intervention, suicide prevention, education, counseling, and other mental health support. Members of the LGBTQ community are more likely to experience depression and suicide as a result of discrimination, social exclusion, and other stigmas. The organization, named after the Academy Award®-winning short film, "Trevor," (1998), assists thousands of LGBTQ youths aged 25 and younger through hotline platforms like Trevor Lifeline and TrevorChat.
Immigration Equality
Immigration Equality is America's largest LGBTQ immigrant rights organization. Founded in 1994, the organization is dedicated to promoting the security and equality of LGBTQ and HIV-positive immigrants. The primary objective of Immigration Equality is to ensure that immigration crises are not overlooked, functioning under the belief that everybody has the right to fair and equal treatment regardless of cultural stigmas. The organization offers pro bono legal services to low-income people, binational LGBTQ couples, immigrant detainees, undocumented immigrants, asylum seekers, and related by collaborating with the country's top law firms.
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