What does Pride Month mean to you?
Content/Trigger Warnings: This post discusses topics including discrimination, mental health issues, and suicide.
Did you know that approximately 26% of LGBTQIA++ adults also identify as disabled?¹ In Aotearoa New Zealand, 20% of LGBTQIA++ individuals report experiencing discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity². Sometimes it’s easy for me to forget that living in an inclusive bubble doesn’t reflect real society.
Being ‘out’ and speaking about Pride Month lets other queer business owners know my business is ‘safe’ for them. While every month is Pride Month for me, having a designated month reminds the world that we’re here, we’re queer, and we’re not going anywhere. Trans people always have and always will exist. There is no right way to be queer.
There is still a persistent lack of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Queer people still experience higher rates of mental health issues. LGBTQIA++ individuals are twice as likely to experience a mental health condition⁵. Because of this, whether you are queer or an ally, Pride Month is important, not least because it helps raise the profile for Rainbow and Takatāpui communities.
Pride Month is also a time for commemoration. It is a solemn reminder of the countless individuals who have lost their lives simply for being gay. From historical events like the Stonewall Riots to the ongoing violence faced by LGBTQIA++ people around the world, we honour their memories and continue to fight for a world where everyone can live openly and safely.
“Mourn the dead, fight like hell for the living.”
Studies show that LGBTQIA++ youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers³. In New Zealand, 40% of LGBTQIA++ youth have seriously considered suicide⁴. This is truly heartbreaking.
There aren’t many service provider businesses that explicitly state they want to work with LGBTQIA++ people. Colleagues and clients have thanked me for making it clear they will be treated with respect.
Pride Month is a powerful reminder of the resilience, diversity, and strength of the LGBTQIA++ community. It’s a time to celebrate who we are, remember those we have lost, and continue the fight for equality and acceptance. Let's continue to stand together, celebrate our diversity, and push for a more inclusive and equitable world for all
Disclaimer:
I’m acutely aware that no community is homogenous, and while some people (myself included) identify with the term “queer,” many others don’t align with it for a variety of reasons. There is no one term that 100% of humans will be happy with, so this aims to include anyone queer, LGBTQIA++, gender-diverse, non-binary, Rainbow identifying, and many others I haven’t listed.