Did you know that state legislatures in the USA have introduced more than 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills? Over 20% of those bills come from one state alone: Texas.
Mosaic Makers Collective is a space where creatives can find community while sharing their products and passions. Our collective offers a single storefront where you can find home decor, clothing, paper goods, gifts, and so much more from female-identifying members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies committed to making the world a kinder and more inclusive place for everyone. We're celebrating Pride Month in Dallas, Texas, at Mosaic Makers with a Pride Shop and educating ourselves about how to be better allies. Join us as we share what we're learning in today's blog post!
Why is Pride Month in June?
Pride Month is celebrated in June of each year to commemorate the Stonewall Uprising of 1969. When the police turned violent during the June 28 raid of the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in Lower Manhattan, the bar patrons and residents of the neighborhood fought back. Riots ensued over the next five days, and the uprising is remembered as a catalyst for LGBT political activism.
One year later, the first Pride March was held in NYC, and what began as Gay Pride Day on the last Sunday of each June, is now celebrated for an entire month.
Why is it important to celebrate Pride Month?
Pride Month is a beautiful reminder of the LGBTQ+ community that stood their ground at Stonewall. It's a time when we see and honor the differences that make our LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors who they are, celebrate beauty in individuality and the commonalities that bind us, and create a safe and welcoming space for all.
How can you support your local LGBTQ+ community?
What does it mean to be an ally? Miriam-Webster defines it as "one that is associated with another as a helper : a person or group that provides assistance and support in an ongoing effort, activity, or struggle."
Pride Month is 30 days long and a great time to learn how to support the LGBTQ+ community and start new habits. But it's just a start. Here's how you can be an ally this month and all year long.
Show your support with Pride products from creatives in Texas
The Pride Shop at Mosaic Makers Collective combines products from our LGBTQ+ makers and Pride-themed products. With pronoun buttons, baby moccasins, rainbow earrings, mugs, and more, it's easy to show your support by purchasing from The Pride Shop and proudly showing it off!
This Inside Their Boxes Art Print by Kindheart Designs, available in Pride/POC and transgender flag colors, is a beautiful way to show your support to a loved one.
If you want to show your Texan pride and your support for the LGBTQ+ community, this Rainbow Armadillo by Robnko is a perfect addition to any jean jacket, hat, or backpack.
Educate yourself
While the first-hand knowledge you can gain through one-on-one friendships is invaluable, don't ask your LGBTQ+ friends to do all the heavy lifting. Read books about gender, inclusion, and diversity, and include books in your child's library that celebrate all types of families.
Use inclusive language
While greeting someone with a "sir" or "ma'am" feels like good manners, using incorrect gendered language is anything but polite. Y'all is all-encompassing and (if this Texan does say so herself!) a really great non-gendered greeting.
Families aren't one-size-fits-all. When talking with children, use terms like "your adults" instead of "mom and dad" to include all kinds of families.
Speak up
"If you see something, say something" is an effective slogan for Homeland Security, but don't let it stop there.
According to The Trevor Project's 2023 Survey, “41% of LGBTQ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year—and young people who are transgender, nonbinary, and/or people of color reported higher rates than their peers.” And only “38% of LGBTQ young people found their home to be LGBTQ-affirming.” It's not enough to not be a part of the problem— we need to be a part of the solution.
Being part of the solution could mean:
-
Offering a safe space and a non-judgmental ear for your child or their friends.
-
Volunteering with a local organization that supports the LGBTQ+ community.
-
Asking for and using proper pronouns.
-
Contacting your local elected officials and asking them to vote no on anti-LGBTQ+ bills.
You can find your elected officials' names and contact information here. And here is a list of all current bills concerning the LGBTQ+ community in Texas. The Trevor Project survey found, “Nearly 1 in 3 LGBTQ young people said their mental health was poor most of the time or always due to anti-LGBTQ policies and legislation.” Your vote and your voice can make a difference.
Mosaic Makers Collective is a safe space for all members of the LGBTQ+ community and will continue to be fierce allies in the fight for equality for all. We hope you'll join us by voting for leaders who support LGBTQ+ rights, speaking up when you hear someone being disrespected, and proudly wearing or displaying the items from our Pride collection.
Y'all means all.