With Pride parades cancelled around the country, organizations are seeking creative, virtual ways to celebrate Pride Month. Despite the inability to host in-person events, Pride remains as important as it has ever been. American society still has a lot of work to do in recognizing, accepting, and embracing the LGBTQ+ community. To this day, members of the LGBTQ+ are the most likely targets of hate crimes, LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to attempt suicide, and they are more likely to be wrongfully incarcerated. The media still struggles to appropriately represent the LGBTQ+ community,and they remain underrepresented in Congress as well. The last few years have been especially turbulent with the current administration, Congress, and Supreme Court often voting against LGBTQ+ rights.

However, the LGBTQ+ community has proven itself to be resilient, strong, and powerful time and time again, and this year has been no exception. There is so much to celebrate during Pride 2020. For example, the Supreme Court recently ruled that gay and transgender people are protected against employment discrimination under existing civil rights law. This victory protects LGBTQ+ persons in the workplace, preventing employers from firing them due to their sexuality. And despite all of the hate in the world, over three-quarters of LGBT youth say they know things will get better. Pride is a reminder that there is still so much to be hopeful about, because progress is happening even if it is slow.

Organizations must support LGBTQ+ persons both in and out of their community. One way to ally is to encourage or match donations to groups working to support members of the community. Organizations can also use their social platforms to share important resources, highlight powerful LGBTQ+ members of their own groups, and stand up to hate. Supporting the LGBTQ+ community extends beyond June into matching donations year-round, partnering with and buying from LGBTQ-owned businesses, and seeking to educate ourselves on the importance of intersectionality.

This year’s Pride has a renewed focus on intersectionality and voter mobilization, both of which are important for the upcoming election. Here are some of our favorite ways that organizations—including many Mobilize partners—are honoring Pride Month by encouraging donations to queer organizations, joining in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, and gathering communities to celebrate together!

Host events to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community

Queer Caffeine with HRC Wisconsin

Human Rights Campaign Wisconsin is hosting a virtual gathering for LGBTQ+ folks and their allies. They are encouraging attendees to dress up in flags and glitter, and also have HRC Pride Zoom backgrounds for attendees to download and use.

Celebrate Pride with NextGen Arizona

NextGen Arizona is hosting events and actions around voter registration and education for the upcoming elections. The celebrations include a Pride Juneteenth event, a virtual parade, and a week of action of phone banks to voters.

Pride Series: Mayor Pete Buttigieg with DNC Youth Organizing

DNC Youth is hosting a month-long series of LGBTQ+ elected officials, starting with Mayor Pete Buttigieg! Supporters will discuss LGBTQ+ issues and progress in the US, and can submit questions for Mayor Pete in advance.

The First Pride was Protest with HRC Michigan and Michigan Organizing Together 2020

Human Rights Campaign and Michigan Organizing Together 2020 are joining together to lead a crucial discussion about the Stonewall Riots and what they mean today. Attendees will learn about the ways they can support Black and BrownLGBTQ+ folks affected by police brutality and incarceration.

Pulse Nightclub Virtual Vigil with Texas Democratic Party

This virtual vigil is held four years after the Pulse nightclub shooting. The Texas Democratic Party will use this time to remember the people lost to hate crimes, affirm the strength of survivors, and acknowledge that we have to protect all LGBTQ+ Texans from hate crime.

Proud Inside & Out with NextGen Iowa

NextGen Iowa will feature speakers such as drag queens Vana B and Crimson B, as well a a professor of Gender and Women Studies. These guests will discuss their experiences with the police, read powerful literature, and share future projects.

Pride Extravaganza with NextGen Virginia

This virtual event will feature Drag performances by Tara Misu, Intero Bang, Faye Kapology, and Louisianna Purchase. There will be discussions about LGBTQ+ history and activism as well as makeup tutorials, a fire spinning performance, and more.

Encourage donations for Give OUT Day

Give OUT Day

Hosted by Horizons Foundation, Give OUT Day is the only national day of giving for the LGBTQ+ community, held annually on June 30. This holiday supports diverse LGBTQ+ organizations across the country. Individuals are encouraged to donate money to the nonprofit organization of their choice on June 30 and then spread the message to encourage more donations!

Donate to Black trans groups

This form was created to make it easier for people to find and donate specifically to Black trans work and people. Use this link to research organizations listed, and donors can choose specific organizations or split the amount between multiple black trans support organizations.

The LGBTQ Freedom Fund

The Freedom Fund goes towards posting bail to secure the release and safety of tens of thousands of LGBTQ people who cannot afford bail. This fund also raises awareness of the epidemic of LGBTQ+ over-incarceration.

Victory Fund

Donations to Victory Fund support their efforts to elect LGBTQ+ candidates who will fight for their community. This year, Victory Fund has identified 11 Black queer candidates in key 2020 races that need support now.

It Gets Better Project

The It Gets Better Project works to uplift, empower, and connect LGBTQ+ youth around the world. Every dollar donated is a commitment to a brighter and more hopeful future for LGBTQ+ youth.

Transgender Awareness Alliance

Their mission is to assist transgender persons in South Carolina with getting a legal name change, provide support for healthy living, and seek equality through activism. On their site donors can also find a certified list of other organizations to support.

National Black Justice Coalition

Support the National Black Justice Coalition in their mission to empower the Black LGBTQ+ community.

Trans Justice Funding Project

A community-led giving initiative that supports grassroots, trans justice groups run by and for trans people. They give grants annually by bringing together a panel of six trans justice activists to review applications.

Marsha P. Johnson Institute

Named after a famous organizer of the Stonewall Riots, the Marsha P. Johnson Institute protects and defends the human rights of Black transgender people.

Okra Project

The Okra Project is a grassroots organization with the goal of combatting food insecurity in the Black Trans and gender non-conforming community.