May 16 – LGBTQ Community National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day

National Honor LGBTQ Elders Day is today!

Honoring the LGBTQ community elders is a necessary and significant celebration that must be undertaken by society as a whole. Individuals who have spent their lives bravely fighting for equality and acceptance deserve recognition and respect, especially in their later years. It is important to acknowledge the contributions made by these pioneers, as they have paved the way for the freedoms that members of the LGBT community enjoy today.

Through honoring these elders, we not only show our appreciation for their work, but we also demonstrate the importance of respecting and valuing the lives of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. With our acknowledgement and support, we can provide dignity and honor to those who have given so much to the LGBTQ community.

HISTORY OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY MOVEMENT

The Stonewall Riots, a pivotal moment in LGBTQ history, unfolded in June 1969 at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. Fueled by systemic discrimination and police harassment, the LGBTQ community, led by transgender women of color like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, resisted a routine police raid. The confrontation sparked days of protests, marking the birth of the modern LGBTQ rights movement. Stonewall symbolizes the fight for equality, galvanizing activism globally. The riots prompted increased visibility, advocacy, and inspired Pride Month, commemorating the ongoing struggle and celebrating the resilience and diversity of the LGBTQ community.

100 WAYS TO HONOR THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY

Educate Yourself: Stay informed about LGBTQ+ history, rights, and issues to become an ally.
Use Inclusive Language: Embrace gender-neutral and inclusive language to create a welcoming environment.
Attend LGBTQ+ Events: Participate in Pride parades, festivals, and other events to show support.
Advocate for LGBTQ Community Rights: Actively support legislation and policies promoting LGBTQ+ equality.
Display Pride Symbols: Wear or display LGBTQ+ symbols like the rainbow flag to express solidarity.
Listen and Validate Experiences: Provide a supportive space for LGBTQ+ individuals to share their experiences.
Support LGBTQ+-Owned Businesses: Contribute to the economic empowerment of the community by supporting LGBTQ+-owned businesses.
Promote LGBTQ+ Representation: Encourage diverse and positive LGBTQ+ representation in media, entertainment, and advertising.
Celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month: Recognize and commemorate LGBTQ+ History Month in October.
Volunteer with LGBTQ+ Organizations: Offer your time and skills to organizations supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
Create Safe Spaces: Establish environments where LGBTQ+ individuals feel safe and accepted.
Attend LGBTQ+ Film Festivals: Explore and support LGBTQ+ cinema by attending film festivals or screenings.
Challenge Stereotypes: Question and challenge stereotypes associated with gender and sexual orientation.
Support LGBTQ+ Youth: Contribute to organizations focused on providing resources and support for LGBTQ+ youth.
Share Pronouns: Respect and use individuals’ preferred pronouns to affirm their gender identity.
Host LGBTQ+ Awareness Workshops: Organize workshops to raise awareness and educate others about LGBTQ+ issues.
Participate in LGBTQ+ Ally Training: Take ally training courses to better understand and support the LGBTQ+ community.
Include LGBTQ+ Content in Education: Advocate for inclusive LGBTQ+ education in schools to promote understanding.
Support Transgender Rights: Advocate for transgender rights, including legal recognition and healthcare access.
Challenge Discrimination: Speak out against discrimination, bigotry, and hate directed at the LGBTQ+ community.
Donate to LGBTQ+ Causes: Contribute financially to organizations working towards LGBTQ+ equality.
Participate in LGBTQ+ Book Clubs: Read and discuss literature by LGBTQ+ authors to promote diverse perspectives.
Create Gender-Neutral Facilities: Advocate for and support the creation of gender-neutral restrooms and facilities.
Stand Against Conversion Therapy: Advocate for the ban and condemnation of harmful conversion therapy practices.
Amplify LGBTQ+ Voices: Share and amplify the voices and stories of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Challenge Heteronormativity: Question and challenge societal norms that assume heterosexuality as the default.
Encourage Inclusive Healthcare: Advocate for healthcare that is inclusive and supportive of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Combat LGBTQ+ Homelessness: Support initiatives addressing homelessness disproportionately affecting LGBTQ+ individuals.
Support LGBTQ+ Refugees: Advocate for and support LGBTQ+ individuals seeking refuge due to persecution.
Participate in LGBTQ+ Sports Leagues: Engage in or support LGBTQ+-inclusive sports leagues to promote inclusivity.
Host LGBTQ+ Art Exhibitions: Promote and showcase the artistic contributions of the LGBTQ+ community.
Share LGBTQ+ News: Stay informed about LGBTQ+ news and share relevant stories to raise awareness.
Celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility: Acknowledge and celebrate the visibility and accomplishments of transgender individuals.
Create Inclusive Policies at Work: Advocate for workplace policies that protect and support LGBTQ+ employees.
Support LGBTQ+ Parenting Rights: Advocate for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals to become parents and raise families.
Display Allyship Symbols: Wear ally symbols, such as the Ally Pride Flag, to visibly express support.
Combat LGBTQ+ Bullying: Take action against bullying and harassment targeting LGBTQ+ individuals.
Attend LGBTQ+ History Events: Participate in events that commemorate and educate about LGBTQ+ history.
Celebrate Bisexual Visibility Day: Acknowledge and celebrate the visibility and experiences of bisexual individuals.
Share LGBTQ+ Art: Share and appreciate art created by LGBTQ+ individuals to promote their talents.
Advocate for Intersex Rights: Support and advocate for the rights of intersex individuals, challenging stigmatization.
Promote Inclusive Sex Education: Advocate for inclusive and comprehensive sex education that addresses LGBTQ+ topics.
Create LGBTQ+ Book Recommendations: Share book recommendations that highlight LGBTQ+ authors and themes.
Attend LGBTQ+ Theater Performances: Support LGBTQ+ representation in the performing arts by attending theater performances.
Celebrate LGBTQ+ Elders: Acknowledge and celebrate the contributions and experiences of LGBTQ+ elders.
Participate in LGBTQ+ Poetry Events: Engage with and support LGBTQ+ poets and spoken word artists.
Create Gender-Inclusive Fashion: Advocate for and support fashion brands with gender-inclusive designs and options.
Celebrate Asexuality Awareness Week: Acknowledge and celebrate the experiences of asexual individuals.
Promote LGBTQ+ Mental Health Awareness: Advocate for mental health resources and support tailored to LGBTQ+ individuals.
Engage in LGBTQ+ History Conversations: Initiate conversations about LGBTQ+ history to foster understanding.
Support LGBTQ+ Foster Parents: Advocate for and support LGBTQ+ individuals in becoming foster parents.
Combat Discrimination in Adoption: Challenge discriminatory adoption practices against LGBTQ+ individuals and couples.
Promote LGBTQ+ Environmentalism: Support LGBTQ+ involvement in environmental advocacy and sustainability.
Celebrate LGBTQ+ Liberation Day: Acknowledge and celebrate the achievements in LGBTQ+ liberation movements.
Advocate for Non-Binary Recognition: Support legal recognition and acknowledgment of non-binary gender identities.
Participate in LGBTQ+ Comedy Shows: Attend and support comedy shows featuring LGBTQ+ comedians.
Celebrate LGBTQ+ Religious Inclusivity: Support religious institutions that embrace and welcome LGBTQ+ individuals.
Advocate for LGBTQ+ Seniors: Support initiatives addressing the unique needs of LGBTQ+ seniors.
Promote LGBTQ+ STEM Representation: Advocate for increased representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in STEM fields.
Participate in LGBTQ+ Gaming Communities: Engage with and support LGBTQ+ individuals in the gaming community.
Combat Discrimination in Healthcare: Advocate for healthcare policies that protect LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination.
Celebrate International Day Against Homophobia: Participate in events that challenge and raise awareness about homophobia.
Support LGBTQ+ Archives: Contribute to or engage with LGBTQ+ archives preserving history and culture.
Advocate for LGBTQ+ Inclusivity in Schools: Support policies that promote LGBTQ+ inclusivity in educational institutions.
Participate in LGBTQ+ Film Discussions: Engage in discussions about LGBTQ+ films to promote understanding.
Support LGBTQ+ Activists: Contribute to or support the work of LGBTQ+ activists advocating for change.
Promote LGBTQ+ Tech Inclusivity: Advocate for inclusivity in the tech industry for LGBTQ+ professionals.
Celebrate LGBTQ+ Liberation Month: Acknowledge and celebrate the ongoing journey toward LGBTQ+ liberation.
Advocate for LGBTQ+ Refugee Protections: Support policies protecting LGBTQ+ individuals seeking refuge from persecution.
Promote Inclusive LGBTQ+ Travel: Advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusivity and safety in the travel and hospitality industry.
Celebrate LGBTQ+ Indigenous Voices: Acknowledge and celebrate the contributions and experiences of LGBTQ+ Indigenous individuals.
Advocate for LGBTQ+ Inclusivity in Sports: Support policies promoting LGBTQ+ inclusivity in sports and athletics.
Participate in LGBTQ+ Health Campaigns: Engage with and support health campaigns addressing LGBTQ+ health disparities.
Combat Discrimination in Prisons: Advocate for policies protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination in prison.
Celebrate LGBTQ+ Liberation Movements Globally: Acknowledge and support LGBTQ+ liberation movements worldwide.
Advocate for Non-Binary Recognition in Documents: Support legal recognition of non-binary gender markers on identification documents.
Participate in LGBTQ+ Science Initiatives: Engage with and support scientific initiatives addressing LGBTQ+ issues.
Celebrate LGBTQ+ Liberation Day Globally: Acknowledge and celebrate global achievements in LGBTQ+ liberation.
Advocate for Inclusive LGBTQ+ Parenting Laws: Support legal protections and recognition for LGBTQ+ parents and families.
Promote LGBTQ+ Inclusivity in Fashion Industry: Advocate for increased LGBTQ+ inclusivity and diversity in the fashion industry.
Celebrate LGBTQ+ Liberation History: Acknowledge and celebrate historical milestones in LGBTQ+ liberation.
Advocate for LGBTQ+ Inclusive Curricula: Support educational curricula that include LGBTQ+ history and contributions.
Participate in LGBTQ+ Meditation and Wellness: Engage with and support wellness initiatives tailored to LGBTQ+ individuals.
Combat LGBTQ+ Discrimination in Housing: Advocate for policies protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from housing discrimination.
Celebrate LGBTQ+ Liberation Art: Acknowledge and celebrate artistic expressions of LGBTQ+ liberation.
Advocate for Transgender Healthcare Rights: Support policies ensuring healthcare rights and access for transgender individuals.
Participate in LGBTQ+ Culinary Events: Engage in culinary events celebrating LGBTQ+ chefs and cuisine.
Celebrate LGBTQ+ Liberation Music: Acknowledge and celebrate musical contributions to LGBTQ+ liberation.
Advocate for LGBTQ+ Inclusivity in Tech Companies: Support policies promoting LGBTQ+ inclusivity in the tech industry.
Promote LGBTQ+ Inclusive Media Coverage: Advocate for fair and inclusive media coverage of LGBTQ+ issues.
Celebrate LGBTQ+ Liberation Poetry: Acknowledge and celebrate the poetic expressions of LGBTQ+ liberation.
Advocate for Intersex Awareness: Support educational initiatives promoting awareness of intersex experiences.
Participate in LGBTQ+ Dance Performances: Engage in dance performances celebrating LGBTQ+ expression and identity.
Celebrate LGBTQ+ Liberation Theater: Acknowledge and celebrate theatrical productions promoting LGBTQ+ liberation.
Advocate for LGBTQ+ Representation in Politics: Support increased LGBTQ+ representation in political leadership.
Promote Inclusive LGBTQ+ Brands: Advocate for and support brands that prioritize LGBTQ+ inclusivity.
Celebrate LGBTQ+ Liberation Dance: Acknowledge and celebrate dance as a form of expression for LGBTQ+ liberation.
Advocate for LGBTQ+ Inclusive Advertising: Support advertising that represents and includes LGBTQ+ individuals authentically.
Participate in LGBTQ+ Liberation Festivals: Engage in festivals celebrating diverse aspects of LGBTQ+ liberation.
Celebrate LGBTQ+ Liberation Diversity: Acknowledge and celebrate the diverse experiences and identities within LGBTQ+ liberation movements.