5 Ways to Celebrate Pride as a family!

June is Pride Month and it is celebrated across the globe. Pride is a time to celebrate and support the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA) community.

It is a great opportunity to teach children and young people about the different ways people can identify and love one another, and how to lift their own and others’ voices for a more inclusive world.

1. Choose inclusive films, television shows and games.

Representation really matters with a lack of representation on screen or a negative representation such as stereotypical characters, children and young people can struggle with their identity development, or form negative perceptions of certain identity characteristics. They might see their own identity or background as burdensome, unpopular, uncool, embarrassing or even immoral.  Common sense media is a great website for reviews of media and ratings created with families in mind. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/

During pride why not check out some of the following:

  • Lightyear- Buzz origin story is exceptionally animated and inclusive.
  • The Mitchells vs the Machines- action packed family adventure tackles tech dependence.
  • Potato & Chip- Sweet friendships help pup face new experiences.
  • Love Simon- Romcom about gay teens.
  • Celeste- Charming, challenging platformer game with excellent heroine.

2. Read a children’s book with LGBTQIA characters.

It is important for children and young people to see lots of different identities represented and affirmed in the world around them and this includes the books that they read. Local libraries can be a great place to start to access books with a variety of LGBTQIA experiences. Common sense media also contains reading recommendations broken down into age categories.

Here are some examples you could enjoy this pride and beyond:

  • Introducing Teddy: A Gentle Story About Gender and Friendship
  • I Am Jazz- A sweet story of young transgender girl.
  • Ask the Passengers- powerful poignant story of teen girl in love with another girl.
  • The Hammer of Thor: Magnus Chase of the Gods of Asgard- Loads of excitement with the introduction of a gender-fluid character.

3. Create a safe space for open conversations about identity!

Use Pride Month activities as a way of talking with your children and young people about the importance of empathy and respect for all. Creating a safe space where they can talk about their own identity.

For younger children https://amaze.org/?topic=sexual-orientation offer short child friendly videos to explain gender identity, sexual orientation and other topics.

This resource is a great tool for conversions with teens whether they are already a member of the LGBTQI+ community or they are questioning their gender identity or sexual orientation. Or to find out more about the issues that are important to LGBTQI+ community. https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/lgbtqi-mental-health/

Pride Month is about inclusion and community and it something worth championing all year round so keep the conversation going!

4. Learn about the history of Pride!

Children over the age of 5 could use the picture book ‘Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution by Rob Sanders. This powerful and true story allows young readers to discover the rich and dynamic history of the Stonewall Inn and its role in the gay civil rights movement.

Older teens could access age appropriate resources such as https://www.history.com/tag/lgbt-history

There are wide variety of free resources online to explore the history of pride. Sit at the family computer and search the internet together. Let your children and young people teach you something they have learnt.

5. Have a Pride themed dance party.

There are many curated Pride Month playlists on free streaming music platforms. Spotify has its been ‘Pride page’. These playlists feature empowering music by LGBTQIA artists and allies of the LGBTQIA community.

Artists include and not limited to:

  • Lil Nas X
  • Elton John
  • Miley Cyrus
  • Lady GaGa

So, create a dance floor in your home, dress to impress and make some time to listen, celebrate and dance!

From the Chrysalis family to yours, Happy Pride Month!

At Chrysalis we welcome all foster parents. Becoming a successful foster parent is all about having the right personal qualities such as a great sense of humour, resilience and patience; not your sexual ordination or gender. To find out more about fostering with Chrysalis please visit: www.chrysalisconsortium.co.uk

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