By: DAS & Associates
As the rainbow flags that have adorned our streets begin to come down and the vibrant parade floats are tucked away for another year, we find ourselves at the close of another Pride Month. But as June fades into July, we’re reminded that the spirit of Pride—a celebration of love, identity, and hard-won freedoms—isn’t something that can or should be confined to a single month on the calendar.
Pride Month serves as a powerful focal point, a time when the world’s attention turns to the LGBTQ+ community’s triumphs, challenges, and ongoing struggle for equality. It’s a month of heightened visibility, of joyous celebration, and of renewed commitment to the fight for rights and recognition. But limiting our engagement with these crucial issues to just 30 days a year does a disservice to the continuous lived experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals.
The principles that Pride Month embodies—acceptance, self-affirmation, dignity, and equality—are values that should inform our actions and attitudes every day of the year. The stories of resilience, the push for societal change, and the celebration of diverse identities don’t pause when July 1st rolls around. Neither should our support and advocacy.
As we move beyond Pride Month, we challenge ourselves and others to carry forward the energy, the inclusivity, and the commitment to equality that characterizes this special time of year. How can we integrate the spirit of Pride into our daily lives, our workplaces, and our communities? How can we ensure that the heightened awareness and support seen in June doesn’t diminish but instead becomes a constant, unwavering presence?
In this spirit, we’re embarking on a journey to spotlight organizations that embody these values year-round. These are the changemakers, the support networks, and the advocacy groups that work tirelessly, day in and day out, to create a more inclusive world for LGBTQ+ individuals. Their work isn’t seasonal—it’s a constant commitment to progress and equality.
Join us as we explore these organizations, their missions, and their impact. Together, let’s transform the energy of Pride Month into a sustained commitment to inclusivity, understanding, and celebration of LGBTQ+ lives and experiences—not just in June, but in every month that follows.
LGBTQ+ Rights and Advocacy
- The Trevor Project: Providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ young people, The Trevor Project is a lifeline for those in need. https://www.thetrevorproject.org
- GLAAD: Rewriting the script for LGBTQ+ acceptance through media advocacy and cultural change, GLAAD amplifies voices and accelerates progress. https://glaad.org
- National Center for Transgender Equality: Advocating for policy changes and social acceptance, NCTE works tirelessly to advance the rights of transgender individuals. https://transequality.org
Community Support and Development
- The LGBT Center: Offering a wide array of services from health care to economic empowerment, The Center serves as a hub for LGBTQ+ community support and development. https://gaycenter.org
- SAGE: Dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT older adults, SAGE provides advocacy, services, and support to ensure dignity and respect for all. https://www.sageusa.org
- True Colors United: Implementing innovative solutions to youth homelessness that focus on the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ young people. https://truecolorsunited.org
- Brave Space Alliance: The first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ center on the South Side of Chicago, providing access to gender-affirming resources and support. https://bravespacealliance.org
Business + Leadership Development
- StartOut: Fostering LGBTQ+ entrepreneurship through education, networking, and access to capital, StartOut empowers the next generation of queer business leaders. https://startout.org
- Out & Equal Workplace Advocates: Dedicated to achieving workplace equality for LGBTQ+ employees through educational initiatives and corporate partnerships. https://outandequal.org
- The Center for Black Equity: A global network dedicated to improving the lives of Black LGBTQ+ people through economic empowerment, health and wellness, and social equity. https://centerforblackequity.org
Health and Wellbeing
- National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center: Providing educational programs and resources to optimize quality, cost-effective health care for LGBTQIA+ people. https://www.lgbtqiahealtheducation.org
- The Fenway Institute: Conducting groundbreaking research and developing education programs to enhance LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing. https://fenwayhealth.org/the-fenway-institute/
Arts and Culture
- Queer|Art: Nurturing and promoting the vibrant community of LGBTQ+ artists through mentorship, exhibitions, and grants. https://www.queer-art.org
- Lambda Literary: Championing LGBTQ+ literature and supporting queer writers through awards, workshops, and retreats. https://lambdaliterary.org
These are just some of the people and organizations we admire – and we celebrate their impact, advocacy, and action.
