Pride Month 2024!

It’s June, which means we’re celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride Month!

Pride got started as a rebellion in 1969 with the Stonewall Riots. LGBTQ+ people wanted safe spaces, equal rights, access to non-discriminatory medical care and to be able to live as themselves without fear.

There has been some fantastic progress, for example, same-sex marriage was legalized in the UK in 2013 and according to the Pew Research Centre public attitudes towards homosexuality have improved in many nations around the world. 86% of those sampled in the UK in 2019 said that homosexuality should be accepted by society.
However, the LGBTQ+ community is still fighting for many of those same things, especially when it comes to the rights and treatment of trans people.

So, each June we take some time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ trailblazers that came before us, the social and legal progress we’ve made over the decades, and the often difficult journey to finding self-love and acceptance in a world that is not always kind to LGBTQ+ people.

Celebrating Pride

There are so many ways to celebrate Pride, and at Red Balloon, we know that not everyone is up for the buzz and chaos of something like London Pride. So here are a few ways to celebrate Pride from your own home.

• Learn! Whether it’s learning more about the history of LGBTQ+ activism, the diverse genders and sexualities of different cultures around the world or listening to the stories and experiences of LGBTQ+ people through documentaries, podcasts and books, there’s so much to learn and explore.
• Throw your own Pride Party! Pride Parades can be pretty overwhelming with loud music, big crowds and lots happening everywhere you look. If you’re looking for something a little more low-key, why not throw your own party? You could bake a rainbow cake, make a playlist full of your favourite LGBTQ+ artists and icons and dress up in whatever makes you feel the most you!
• Remember that the efforts don’t stop after Pride Month is over. Take this month to learn about what you can do during the rest of the year to support the LGBTQ+ community, whether that’s being more mindful of where you shop, or starting or joining an LGBTQ+ group.

Red Balloon has always been home to a large number of LGBTQ+ young people. We take a whole organisation approach to LGBTQ+ inclusion and visibility and have even earned the Rainbow Flag Award. Whether they’re LGBTQ+ or allies, we help our young people feel safe and supported to be their most authentic selves all year round.