The LGBTQ+ rights movement has made huge strides over the past few decades. Much of the progress in LGBTQ+ visibility is partly due to gay pride parades and the many marches that have taken place in cities across the US, Canada, and the world; celebrating social acceptance, achievements, and also serving as a venue at times for legal rights.
Even as our nation begins to reopen, from Portland, OR to New York, NY, and everywhere in between, Pride events will still look slightly different than previous years. With concerns and restrictions due to COVID-19, many in-person Pride festivals and parades in 2021 are being offered in a hybrid format or completely virtual. But just because many in-person celebrations are canceled, doesn’t mean that Pride Month is as well. This June we’ll just celebrate a bit differently. So, if you’re looking for ways to show your pride, here’s how you can celebrate the true meaning of Pride Month right from your home.
1) Decorate your home with LGTBQ+ art and decor
One great way to show your Pride from home is by refreshing your home’s interior design, while also supporting LGBTQ+ interior designers. With some influential designers such as Elsie de Wolfe, Eileen Gray, and Nate Berkus, it’s no surprise that the LGBTQ+ community has been an important part of modern interior design and has undoubtedly impacted the way you decorate your home. Browse their work for inspiration and interior design ideas to bring into your home.
You can also support LGBTQ+ artists by kicking your decorating up a notch with some new art and decor. Consider hanging a one-of-a-kind art piece from a local LGBTQ+ artist, or use this opportunity to display your own pride-inspired cross stitch on that blank wall. Other great ways to add bursts of color to your space are with bold pillows, chairs, blankets, and rugs from LGBTQ+ crafters. Statement pieces like these will be sure to create an inclusive space and spark conversation even after Pride Month is over.
Consider adding a customizable Pride flag for your porch or balcony, and incorporate all the colors of the rainbow with a new table cloth, party streamers, and fun plates.
2) Create an outdoor cinema to celebrate Pride Month at-home
If you’re unable to gather with your friends and family, consider setting up a movie night using a group-streaming service so you can still spend quality time with loved ones and celebrate Pride Month at home. You can go one step further and bring your living room outside with an outdoor cinema to binge-watch incredible LGBTQ+ documentaries, intense dramas, or feel-good comedy movies. Some highly-rated movies to add to your movie night list are Moonlight, Green Book, Paris is Burning, Love Simon, and A Fantastic Woman.
You can build a collapsible DIY outdoor movie screen with a couple of PVC pipes and a plain white sheet. From there, you can attach the makeshift screen to any frame, fence, or wall. Connect your laptop to a portable movie projector with speakers using an extension cord plugged into a surge-protected power strip.
Next, create a cozy seating area with blankets, floor cushions, and hang string lights for the right ambiance. Plant pots and buckets can be used as drink coolers and snack stashers that you can pass around during the film.
3) Create a reading nook and read LGBTQ+ authors
For many of us, nothing beats getting lost in a good book. Books can be a great educational resource on the LGBTQ+ movement and a great way to celebrate Pride Month at home. Or, if you’re more interested in fiction stories as a temporary escape from reality, there are plenty of LGBTQ+ authors from every genre to support. Some popular books are Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin, Rubyfruit Jungle: A Novel by Rita Mae Brown, Maurice: A Novel by E.M. Forster, In at the Deep End by Kate Davies, Less by Andrew Sean Greer, and The Color Purple by Alice Walker.
You can also join or host a book club for Pride. Whether you’re an ally or a member of the community, gather your friends and choose an LGBTQ+ novel to educate yourselves and start up a conversation.
If you love to cozy up with a book, consider creating a reading nook in a quiet space in your home. Find a private corner surrounded by bookshelves or a space you can only access by ladder. No matter how much space you have, your options are endless. Personalize your new reading nook with plants, candles, and wall hangings. Add pillows and blankets for the final touches of warmth and comfort.
4) Use your kitchen to make festive creations
Channel your inner baker and whip up some Pride-themed treats right in your kitchen. Transform any dessert or brunch dish – like cookies, cake, pancakes, or grilled cheese – into a rainbow-colored masterpiece with food coloring and rainbow sprinkles. Or, if you’re not much of a cook, support local LGBTQ+-owned restaurants and bars and order dinner in.
5) Attend virtual Pride Month events
While you may not be able to attend in-person events this year for Pride, you can still celebrate Pride Month at home virtually through live streaming. Attend an online Pride parade or festival, a virtual drag show, or even visit the Stonewall National Monument. Depending on your city’s COVID-19 guidelines, even if you can’t meet up with friends at the bar, you can still host a virtual happy hour and have a Pride celebration over video chat. No matter the circumstances, you can make celebrating Pride Month at home this June an educational and fun experience while showing your support for the LGBTQ+ community.
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