Homedecortips: Pride Month: Going Beyond Rainbow Cake

วันเสาร์ที่ 12 มิถุนายน พ.ศ. 2564

Pride Month: Going Beyond Rainbow Cake

What It Means To Be a Straight, Cis-Gender Ally

Pride is the best holiday—you can't change my mind. I love the joy that's propelled across the country as individuals feel empowered to embrace who they are. I love the strides our country has taken towards recognizing that this is a nation for all. I even love the rainbow-colored confections that take over my Instagram feed. That said, it's easy to become wrapped up in the unicorn cupcakes and colorful grilled cheese. In the midst of all the lively parties, I think we should also reflect on the work we can still do to create an even more inclusive world.

Last year, when Covid-19 shut down cities and cancelled Pride events (NYC was set to celebrate its 50th anniversary), millions of the LGBTQ+ community were unable to step into the streets for their celebration of acceptance and visibility, or to march for basic human rights. So as we gear up for what might be the liveliest Pride yet, I wanted to reevaluate what it means for me, a straight cisgener woman, to be an ally. How can I better support my friends in the LGBTQ+ community?

Here's how I'm celebrating Pride Month:

1.	Learning the History: Global Pride parades occur annually around June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City, which is widely considered the catalyst of the gay rights movement. Today, Pride events are held around the world as a testament to the action taken against oppression. For example, check out the longstanding history of LGBTQ+ farming initiatives, as chronicled by contributor Katherine Hysmith.
2.	Recognizing My Privilege: Since the Me Too movement there's been a lot of talk about the hardships women encounter in the restaurant industry. But gender is a spectrum. The experience of cisgender women is not the only one, and we need to recognize this. Chef Preeti Mistry discusses how cisgender people are often blind to the experiences of all genders when discussing equality in the kitchen.
3.	Stepping Aside: The parades are meant to create community, honor the movement, and advocate for more positive change; however, many cisgender allies use it as an excuse to drink and party. I want my intention at any Pride event to be supportive. That means giving LGBTQ+ people the prime seats—plus the second, third, and balcony seats.
4.	Taking Responsibility: When I have questions on gender, sexuality, or proper terminology, I will do the research. Inundating the queer community with my queries can come off intrusive or insensitive. I don't want people to have to explain their identities when they should be celebrating their identities.
5.	Voting & Donating: Most states do not protect transgender and nonbinary people. Laws allow healthcare to discriminate against transgender youth, bar access to the use of restrooms, restrict transgender athletes from competing, or make it difficult to get identification documents. Much can be done beyond buying rainbow cookies. Donate to organizations lobbying for rights and show up at the polls to make sure change happens.
6.	Raising Awareness: Even with rights passed in many states making it illegal to discriminate against gender identity and sexual orientation, there are still too many public spaces where people from the LGBQT+ community aren't safe or welcome. Transphobia and homophobia are systemic issues that require everyone's participation to combat.
7.	Supporting LGBTQ+ Businesses: A 2020 report showed there are less than 20 lesbian bars left in the United States, and the lasting effects of the global pandemic will only hasten any closures of more in the near future. Shop small, shop local, and shop with purpose at places like Foster Sundry, a queer-run and employed specialty food store that donates a percentage of their earnings to causes like LGBTQ+ organizations.