Gay Pride 2012: NYC Gay Pride Parade and 10 Other LGBT Events to Celebrate

June is LGBT Pride Month and for some reason my social networks haven't gone all rainbow like I thought they would! Here are the ten best ways to celebrate Pride Month before it's over!

1. If your city hasn't had their pride parade yet (or you're not sure), get busy on Google and find a way to get yourself to one! I promise you'll have a great time and the after parties are never a disappointment. And if you're city doesn't have a pride parade annually, get yourself out there and start one! It won't be easy but your community will thank you.

2. Attend an LGBTQ ally training in your area! Becoming an ally is the best way to create a safe space for LGBTQ friends and family to share their whole, complete lives with you and feel supported. You can also suggest hosting an ally training on your campus or in your workplace.

3. Take a moment to let your LGBTQ friends or family members know that you are there for them. Appreciating people on a day-to-day basis is great, but it's nice to have a reminder that your friends have got your back.

4. Write to Obama to let him know you appreciate his public support for LGBTQ individuals but that there's still a long way to go when it comes to full equality and you (and others) will be watching to make sure equality is a goal that is realized.

5. Gift an LGBTQ lady in your life this splendid Kate Upton photo spread link and this wonderful feminist article along with it. Seriously. 

6. Pick up a book! Or two, or eight that document LGBTQ histories and biographies. A great way to be a better ally and friend (and general conversationalist) is to educate yourself and there are plenty of books to choose from. I suggest Sister, Outsider to anyone who ever asks me for a book recommendation. It's a read you won't regret. 

7. Find your local LGTBQ center(s) and get involved. Volunteer, donate, work a hotline. Watch legislation and find ways you can take action to bring full equality to fruition. 

8. Sew a rainbow flag and display it proudly. Not only will you learn to sew (an awesome skill) but you'll have a visible marker of LGBTQ pride!

9. Find out if your school or college campus has an LGBTQ group. If it does, go ahead and join! And if it doesn't, take some inspiration from the video below and start your own. You can do it!

10. Take a look at these photos of some great celebrations and pat yourself on the back for doing as much as possible to get in on the fun in this last week of June!

For a complete guide to Gay Pride 2012 weekend, including live coverage of the parade, see here.