LGBT Pride Month 2021: How to support your queer friends?

Pride month is here and it is essential to be proud of every individual who stands strong for LGBTQ rights and makes every day count to make this world a better place for them to live in. Though the world has evolved and accepted people of this community, there still lies some hesitation and discrimination against such people and those who decide to come out as an LGBTQ member. It’s simply saddening. If you’re looking to contribute your part in making it easier for people to embrace their true selves, then start by supporting a friend who has finally decided to come out of the closet. Here’s what you can do to support them.

A good friend is someone who accepts their close ones for who they are and does not try to change their identity. Acceptance is the first step towards supporting your friends from the LGBTQ community. Let them know that their presence is much-needed and loved, no matter what their identity is.

Before you start being supportive to your friend, it is extremely important to educate yourself about the LGBTQ community as a whole because you certainly don’t want to end up hurting any of their sentiments by uttering a wrong fact. Unnecessary or wrong comments are the last things they need on their plate.

When a friend shares with you his/her sexual identity, the least you could do is to be an open-minded fellow. You should never come out as a stereotypical person to your friend. You must know that your friend desires your understanding and open-mindedness towards their decision and identity.

While your friend chooses to share with you how they feel about themselves, you should practice the art of being a good listener. A good friend never cuts the conversation of a friend in between and tries to be a great listener when it comes to topics that require extra attention and sensitivity.

Before addressing your friend using a particular pronoun, you should first ask their preference as an individual. Some may like being addressed with pronouns such as his/her/their or he/she/they or some may even choose to be gender-neutral.

Even with the evolving times, people may still be transphobic and stereotypical towards the LGBTQ community. As a good friend, you must stand against people who try to belittle the members of the LGBTQ community.

Even if it is appreciated to stick around your friends to showcase your support and acceptance, it’s also necessary to give them space. Don’t interfere in their ‘me time.’ They are exploring the truth of their identity and for that, they need space, even from supportive people.

To be fully supportive of your friend’s sexual identity, you should never fail to include your friend in your party plans. It is highly appreciated if you choose to treat your friend like any other person in the room and not make them feel left out.

Being a friend to a queer person, you should never forget to attend events that matter the most to your friend. Pride parades and LGBTQ events appreciate the presence of queer people and reflect the positivity that is often ignored by society.

Last but not the least, you should be proud of your friend’s identity and his/her choice of embracing it against all odds. It is difficult but not impossible to share your emotions of being proud of your friend.