Happy 2024 Pride to my LGBTQ+ Family, Friends, and Coworkers!

Allyship has been a responsibility I embraced early on in my life and continue today as a person, family member, and HR professional. As the only sighted sibling, I used my voice to amplify my brothers’ and found myself understanding allyship before I heard the term or read the definition. Experiencing allyship at such an early age allowed me to also step into supporting my family members, friends, and coworkers who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. As a member of the Pride Alliance Employee Resource Group (ERG) at my full-time job, I continue to look inward, learn, and provide support where I can make impact. As we approach Pride Month in June, I want to also highlight the intersection between the LGBTQ+ Community and individuals with disabilities. Estimates show up to 5 million individuals who identify with the LGBTQ+ community has a disability and in 2020, The Human Rights Campaign Institute completed a study that reported 7% of the LGBTQ+ community and 20% of the transgender community have a visual impairment. The Trevor Project, an organization focused on supporting LGBTQ+ young people, recently shared an article that 28% of LGBTQ+ young people with disabilities, reported having a physical disability.  

Why am I sharing this?

If you’re a parent, sibling, partner, or friend of someone who is both blind or has low vision and identifies with the LGBTQ+ community, you might experience a range of emotions—fear, concern, discomfort. It’s natural to feel uncertain or unsure of how to navigate this intersectionality. You might even feel compelled to become their protector, questioning their safety not only during Pride events but in their everyday life. Personally, as a sibling, I’ve grappled with these emotions, having to repeatedly remind myself that they are not incapable or victims. It is my discomfort and I need to own that. They’re just like you and me, striving to live authentically and fully. That’s why I urge you to step up as an ally—offer support, lend an ear, educate yourself, and actively engage. Be there, present, and inquire about how you can effectively support them not only throughout Pride but on their entire life journey.

I’ve curated materials to assist you in navigating 2024 Pride events, gaining a deeper understanding of the intersectionality between disability and the LGBTQ+ community, and learning how to effectively support as an ally.

• 2024 Gay Pride National Events Calendar
• Pride Safety 101 and Celebrate Pride Month with Confidence
• PFLAG
• The Trever Project – Supporting LGBTQ Young People with Disabilities
• Respectability – 2019 Article
• HRC – Understanding disability in the LGBTQ+ Community
• Master Class in Allyship
• The Guide to Allyship
• LGBTQ+ Pride Flags explained
• Progress Pride Flag