A friendly reminder, and point of self-reflection, for “””allies”””. Before you convert your organizations’ logos into Pride flags, or add a “Pride filter” to every photo you upload during the month of June, take a moment to ask yourselves a few questions:

• Is your organization home to members, partners, friends from 2SLGBTQIA+ communities?
• Do individuals from these communities feel like they have space to safely express themselves (this includes feeling safe to express concerns/when needs are not being met)?
• Is your organization making identification accessible?* (E.g. Can people use the pronouns they choose on membership or registration forms? Are organizations supporting those changes where they don’t already exist?) [*identification by choice, not everyone will want to disclose and that’s okay as long as they get to choose to (not) do so]
• Does your organization donate money, time, or other resources to causes that DIRECTLY support these communities? (In terms of financial contributions, that means going beyond making quick-cash donations to large organizations like United Way or Red Cross* [*UW and RC specifically referenced for size, not based on their actual contributions])
• Do you support organizations that actively seek to advance the well-being of our communities? (Hint: Chick-Fil-A is still not it, nor are they trying to be🤷🏾‍♀️ …and no, I don’t care how good the chicken tastes – they don’t care about my humanity and that’s more than enough, thanks)
• Have you considered the politicians you (or your organizations) support? How do they work for the welfare of our communities? (Some of them simply don’t, and instead of justifying it- either give them a call to tell them to do better, or consider voting for someone else. Recognizing that most politicians are flawed at best, you might find yourself living in a place where all of your options are similarly homophobic or transphobic. Do what you can, where you are. Find those leaders and uplift them; give them the resources to be successful where others are not.)