How to Make Your Pride Celebrations More Inclusive and Affirming (Even If You’re Not Hosting)

Pride is an amazing time to party and a perfect time to reflect, connect, honor our community, and take real action—big or small—to make our spaces more welcoming, supportive, and joyful.

You don’t have to host a parade or throw a gala to make a difference. Whether you’re attending a march, cheering from the sidelines, posting online, or just showing up for your friends, there are so many ways to make Pride more inclusive and affirming for everyone in the community.

Here are just a few. 🙂

1. Think About Who’s Missing—And Why

When you go to a Pride event, scroll through Pride posts online, or talk about queer issues with your community, ask yourself: Who’s being centered and who’s not?

Pride should reflect the full spectrum of our community—including trans and nonbinary people, queer people of color, disabled folks, older LGBTQ+ people, and those who are less “out” or don’t feel safe being visible.

You don’t need a platform or a microphone to help shift the spotlight:

• Amplify voices from underrepresented groups.
• Follow, share, and learn from LGBTQ+ creators who don’t often get center stage.
• Invite others into conversations (or step back if you’re taking up too much space).

Sometimes, the most affirming thing you can do is make room.

2. Everyone’s Pride Looks Different

For some people, Pride is a loud, colorful celebration. For others, it’s quiet, reflective, or even complicated.

Some people are out in every part of their life. Others are not. Some are processing grief or trauma. Some don’t feel welcome at mainstream Pride events.

So being inclusive can mean respecting different ways of showing up:

• If someone declines an invite or skips the parade, gently ask what Pride means to them this year.
• Queer expression is wonderfully and beautifully diverse. Some folks show up loud and proud, others in subtle, quiet ways—and all of it is real, powerful, and worth celebrating.
• Whether someone’s waving a flag on a float or quietly cheering from the sidelines, it’s all Pride. Celebrate people for being themselves, in whatever way feels right to them.

Affirmation starts with acceptance—no performance required.

Want more of this energy year-round? Join our Open Gym—a free, affirming space to share, connect, and grow with other LGBTQ+ folks. No appointment needed, just walk on in.

3. Learn (and Unlearn)

Inclusivity doesn’t require a PhD in gender studies—but it does require humility.

Use Pride as a chance to:

• Explore the rich, layered history of the LGBTQ+ community—from early activists and cultural icons to lesser-known local movements that shaped where we are today.
• Understand why some folks don’t feel safe at Pride events—and what you can do about it.
• Stay open to growing. Sometimes that means noticing old assumptions, updating your language, or rethinking what you thought you knew.

You don’t have to be perfect to be supportive. What matters most is being open—listening, learning, and adjusting with care. When someone offers feedback, it’s a gift. Say thank you, take it in, and keep growing. Inclusivity isn’t a finish line—it’s something we get to keep practicing together.

4. Let Your Language Be a Celebration, Too

The words we use can be powerful tools for inclusion. A few small tweaks can help more people feel seen, respected, and welcomed:

• Use and share your pronouns. Whether it’s in your email signature, Zoom name, or social bio, it sends a message that you care about getting it right for others, too.
• Choose words that leave room for everyone. Instead of guessing someone’s relationship status or gender, go with inclusive terms like “partner.” It keeps things open and respectful.
• Most of us already know the power of language—and how good it feels when someone gets it right. Keep leaning into the words that feel expansive, affirming, and true to you. They matter more than people realize.”

Small changes, big impact. Your language can help create a space where people feel celebrated exactly as they are.

5. Keep Supporting Each Other

Pride gear is cute. The flag looks great on your porch or profile. But the real magic of our community has always been how we show up for each other—loudly, quietly, consistently.

Here are a few ways to keep that energy going:

• Support the people doing the work. Donate to local orgs—especially ones led by trans folks, queer people of color, and mutual aid groups meeting real needs.
• Shop queer. Whether it’s art, food, clothes, or services—put your money where your community is.
• Tip your performers. Drag artists, DJs, dancers, musicians—show them love in applause and cash.
• Speak up when it counts. If something feels off—at work, at brunch, in your family group chat—don’t let it slide.
• Check in. Pride isn’t easy for everyone. Reach out, offer care, hold space.

We’ve always been each other’s safety net, hype squad, and emergency contact. Keep building that. That’s Pride, too.

6. Keep Our Spaces Soft, Strong, and Open

We already know that queer spaces are at their best when they’re built on care and love. Whether you’re heading to a backyard hang, a dance party, a movie night, or a picnic in the park, there are quiet ways to help everyone feel welcome:

• Be intentional about who’s included. If you’re organizing a group hang, think about who might feel on the margins—and make sure they get the invite.
• Plan with accessibility in mind. Ask about needs—transportation, quiet spaces, scent-free environments—and make space for folks to opt in on their own terms.
• Read the room. Make sure everyone has a chance to participate.

Celebrating each other means remembering the soft stuff and unspoken stuff, because that’s what turns a get-together into something that feels like Pride.

7. Celebrating Doesn’t Have to Mean Partying

There are so many ways to celebrate that feel personal, meaningful, and just right for you. Here’s just a few we thought of.

• Read or listen to queer stories. Pick up books, zines, or podcasts by LGBTQ+ authors and creators. Explore perspectives and share what you learn with others.
• Support LGBTQ+ artists, musicians, and makers. Buy art, attend a small show, or even just repost their work to help others discover them.
• Start a conversation. That could mean checking in with a friend, asking your workplace what they’re doing for pride, or simply bringing up LGBTQ+ issues at your dinner table.
• Learn your local history. Pride began as a protest, so there’s so much to dig into when it comes to the queer history of your town or city and honor the people who paved the way.
• Volunteer or give back. Whether it’s time, money, or skills, Pride is a great time to support local organizations making a real impact in the community.
• Practice self-affirmation. Don’t forget to celebrate yourself! Journal. Rest. Wear something that makes you feel good. Take up space on your own terms.

8. Remember: Pride Is Personal

There’s no “right” way to do Pride. It can be joyful, messy, political, celebratory, exhausting, healing—sometimes all in the same day.

Maybe this year, Pride looks like dancing in the streets. Maybe it looks like journaling quietly. Maybe it looks like holding space for a friend who’s struggling. Maybe it’s your first time showing up. Maybe it’s your fiftieth.

All of it counts.

What matters most is that we create space where everyone feels safe, valued, and celebrated for who they are.

It’s About All of Us

Making Pride more inclusive and affirming is all about people. It’s about how we treat each other, how we speak up, how we grow, and how we connect with each other.

So whoever you are, however you show up: you have a role in making Pride better for yourself and for everyone. Let’s keep finding ways to do that, not just in June, but all year long.

Happy Pride, fam! 💖

There’s a whole community here that can’t wait to welcome you. Our events and classes are open, affirming, and full of people who get it. Come as you are—we’ll be glad you did.