Happy Pride Month: A Brief Note on Safety for Allies & LGBTQ+ Folks

Tomorrow marks the official start of Pride season. And honestly, this year I am more concerned than ever about the safety of my fellow LGBTQ+ community members.

We now live in a post-Trump conviction era — and as a country, we have witnessed again and again what his aggrieved followers do when Trump and his ideology lose. And Trump lost bigly yesterday. The threat of danger to queer and trans folks this Pride is incredibly real.

Allies, your role at Pride must evolve past simply showing up in support and celebrating. As allies, you may be called upon to upstand, to intervene when queer or trans people are being, threatened, harassed, or harmed.

Upstanding for Allies
If you witness harassment or violence targeting queer or trans Pride attendees, it’s your job as an ally to upstand.

• Follow the 4 Ds
  • DISTRACT — pull the perpetrator’s attention away from their target
  • DELEGATE​ — ask for help from other bystanders
  • DELAY​ — check in with the target
  • DIRECT​ — interact bluntly with the perpetrator and their target
• Bonus D (I said it)
  • ​DOCUMENT​ — record the harassment or violence on your phone​

For more on upstanding, check out this Bystander Intervention Tip Sheet from the American Psychological Association.

Safety Reminders for LGBTQ+ Folks

• Hydrate. Over the summer, Pride events are often hot and overcrowded. Be sure to drink water, especially if you are celebrating with alcohol or other substances.
• Know Your Exits. In the event of MAGA violence, identify the quickest route to a safe location.
• Share Your Location. Again, in the event of MAGA violence, the ability to locate and know the safety of LGBTQ+ friends and fam will be important.
• Charge Your Phone. Be sure your phone is fully charged in case of an emergency — and to take hella cute photos and videos.
• Have Fun! That's it — that's the bullet point.

An Additional Consideration
Cops do not belong at Pride. Every queer and trans person, regardless of citizenship status, race or ethnicity, deserves to feel safe celebrating Pride. As Roxane Gay wrote in her thoughtful 2021 New York Times opinion piece, police harassment of LGBTQ+ communities did not start with the Stonewall Riots and did not end afterward. And BIPOC queer and trans communities bear the brunt of contemporary police harassment.

Fellow queer and trans folks, I wish y'all happiness and love (even if it's just for one song on the dance floor) this Pride season. Be safe, be proud, be you.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration. If you have questions, curiosities, or are interested in learning more about inclusion and leadership possibilities for yourself or your organization, please fill out this nifty contact form.

Sending y’all supportive, well-caffeinated vibes,

Creighton

Today’s Pen(cil): Tennessee Red | No. 2 Graphite | Musgrave Pencil Company | Shelbyville, Tennessee