Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information. It was originally published in June 2019.
It’s Pride month and in case your family would like to support LGBTQ families but is unsure of how to do so, we’re here to help. We’ve gathered some helpful resources for at-home celebrating or if you’re thinking about attending an event in person.
While the pandemic may have taken the air out of some of the blockbuster events, you can find some pretty amazing events in major cities here.
Along those lines, we also have some information on how you can take part in a Pride celebration while still being safe during a pandemic.
In This Post
Get your kids ready for Pride events
Kids are usually enthusiastic about any event that includes a parade, colorful outfits or happy people having a good time — especially if you throw in some singing and dancing! LGBTQ-centric events are fantastic opportunities to instill a sense of pride in your children and introduce them to a wonderfully diverse and inclusive community. Here are some tips as you prepare your kids for an in-person Pride event.
- Show your enthusiasm! Buy Pride beads, flags and gear in advance. You’ll get to pick colors and styles that match your kids’ personalities and you’ll save some money buying ahead of time instead of at the event itself. Rainbows are always cool — and retailers such as Disney, Dr. Martens, Bath & Body Works and J.Crew have stylish Pride-themed gear for kids!
- Plan in advance: Look at the Pride calendar for family events in your area. As this story shows, there are Pride events happening all month long, all around the world. New York City has a slew of Pride-themed events, including Pride Island, which is taking shape this year in a hybrid format of virtual and in-person events. Family Movie Night is happening on June 17 in a virtual format, with this year’s film being “Trolls World Tour.” There are also events happening across the country. While some events are specifically geared to families, many of the daytime events will be family-friendly in nature.
- Be prepared: If you’re attending a parade or a Pride street fair, dress comfortably and make sure everyone in the family wears sneakers. Walking around all day in sandals will lead to some tired and grumpy kids. Pro tip: Buy the family matching socks that celebrate Pride. Bombas has Pride-themed socks for sale. Every time a pair of these socks is sold, the company will donate a pair to help the LGBTQ homeless community.
- Stay healthy: Hydrate and apply sunscreen often.
- If your kid gets lost: Make sure you talk with your children about an emergency plan to follow in case they get separated (help them memorize parents’ mobile numbers and names, put an emergency contact card in their pocket, etc.)
- Make some signs: Let the kids make a sign with their own message on it. Apply some sparkly glitter for good measure!
- March with others: Check to see if a local adoption/surrogacy agency, Family Equality or other organizations with which you have a relationship in your community are marching. You may be able to join them.
- Stop and take breaks: Pack some fun Pride-themed snacks for the kids. One they’re guaranteed to like is the limited-edition Skittles Pride Pack. The company ditched its usual bright bag and candy colors for this new all-gray, 15.6-ounce bag made for sharing. Skittles will donate $1 from each bag sold (up to $100,000) to GLAAD. You can find the special-edition bag at Walmart.com and in Walmart stores.
- Show Your Enthusiasm! Buy Pride beads, flags and gear in advance. You’ll get to pick colors and styles that match your kids’ personalities and you’ll save some money buying ahead of time instead of at the event itself. Rainbows are always cool — and even retailers such as J. Crew and Disney have Pride-themed gear for kids!
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How to make sure you are practicing COVID-19 safety
While COVID-19 protocols have been relaxed across many states as vaccination rates continue to rise, parents should be mindful of the safety measures in place for any Pride events. Here are a few steps to take to help your family stay safe:
- Read up on any Pride event you’re considering attending to make sure you understand their COVID-19 policies. Even though mask policies and social distancing measures have been relaxed in many cities, some event organizers are still being cautious and mandating that attendees wear masks and keep 6 feet apart. Set a good example for your kids by understanding the rules and following them.
- If you have younger kids who are not yet able to get the vaccine, have them wear rainbow-themed masks. They’re easy to find at shopping portals like Amazon. Parents, if you’re vaccinated, consider wearing masks too so your kids don’t feel singled out.
- Make sure to bring along an ample supply of hand sanitizer for the entire family.
- If you want to minimize interaction with others, consider packing snacks and sandwiches for your family.
- If you’re concerned about crowds and social distancing, perhaps reconsider attending events such as parades and street fairs, as those will have the biggest crowds. Many of the biggest Pride events are hybrids this year, so people who are hesitant about being in crowds can still take part in the celebration.
Books that highlight LGBTQ families
Getting your kids ready for a Pride event starts way before the actual occasion. As your children grow, stock your home library with books that reinforce positive messages about family, love, inclusivity and diversity whether you are an LGBTQ family or simply a family that supports families of all backgrounds. At home, we have a wide selection of LGBTQIA+ books that I put front and center on the coffee table so they won’t go neglected.
A few of our favorites include:
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“Stella Brings the Family” by Miriam Shiffer
In the story, Stella brings her family to the class Mother’s Day party after the teacher sensitively allows students to bring a special guest rather than isolate those without a mom. -
“Families, Families, Families!” by Suzanne Lang and Max Lang
Captures the differences that all families can have in size, shape and more. -
“Love Makes a Family” by Sophie Beer
A beautiful board book that has many illustrations and images of diverse families with one simple message about love. -
“Uncle Bobby’s Wedding” by Sarah Brannen
Tells the story of a niece and her favorite uncle. The niece fears she will lose her uncle’s affection when he gets married but realizes that having two uncles is better than one. -
“Why I’m So Special” by Carla Lewis-Long
A wonderful story told by a daughter conceived via surrogacy about how she was the dream of her two dads that a special lady helped them to realize. -
“My Two Dads and Me” by Michael Joosten
One of the many board books for kids with two dads or two moms that is easy to read at bedtime and also, say, to pack on a trip. -
“ABC, A Family Alphabet Book” by Bobbie Combs
An easy-to-pack ABC book illustrated with alternative family compositions that can make any kid feel included. -
“The Adventures of Honey & Leon” by Alan Cumming
The first in a series of children’s books by Alan Cumming illustrated by his husband, Grant. The two dogs go on an international adventure protecting their two dads. -
“A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo” by Marlon Bundo with Jill Twiss
The celebrated counter to the rejection evangelized by “stink bug” that two male bunnies can’t get married. Spearheaded by John Oliver, Marlon Bundo is a story of celebrating differences and finding love. An all-star cast led by Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory”) brings Marlon Bundo to live in the Audible version. “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” will be donating 100% of its proceeds from this book to The Trevor Project and AIDS United.
Traveling with your kids to a Pride event
And, if you plan to travel to a Pride event or you’re new to traveling with kids, you’ll want to brush up on the travel documents you need to carry whenever you’re on the go. If you’re traveling for a Pride event, be sure to gather all the documents you need and keep them in your carry-on bag. Here’s some advice in that regard:
- 7 Documents LGBTQ Families Should Never Travel Without
- How to Get a Passport Before an Adoption is Finalized
- How to Get a Passport Photo of an Infant
- 4 Things to Know About US Passports for Children
- Flying With a Baby Checklist
- Using Award Travel to Adopt My Newborn Daughter
If you are making the trip to NYC for Pride, here are some points-friendly hotel choices in the Big Apple.
Bottom line
I feel fortunate to have children who attended a school where the teachers wear Pride T-shirts and my 5-year-old twins’ teachers let me come in to celebrate Pride with the kindergarten classes. I found a great syllabus on the Human Rights Campaign website, and we read Todd Parr’s “Be Who You Are,” something I wish I had been granted permission to do earlier rather than later.
We are ready to celebrate Pride Month and are honored to have you join us.
Nathan Richardson, @nathanr, is a seasoned traveler who has lived in eight countries, four continents, traveled to 30, reached 2-million-mile status on American Airlines and prefers the aisle seat. He is a serial entrepreneur and sometimes humanitarian. He is the father of twins who have visited two continents, eight new cities and are already applying for their second passports.
Featured image by Caiaimage/Tom Merton/Getty Images
