Tuesday, May 14, 2024 This summer, celebrate Pride with these five ideas
Updated for 2024. A previous version was originally published in 2023.
The entire month of June is recognized as Pride Month for the LGBTQA+ community.
Although many festivities are organized for June (especially in large urban areas), there are activities and opportunities to celebrate throughout the summer.
The students and staff at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's Gender and Sexuality Center suggest these five ideas for enjoying and honoring Pride in Lincoln and Nebraska.
Attend a Pride event
Starting in June, celebrations are happening across the state of Nebraska all summer long. Look for organized events in Scottsbluff, Alliance, Hastings, Lincoln, and Omaha.
In Lincoln, the Star City Pride is set for June 7 & 8, 2024. The two-day festival will have great local entertainment and vendors. On the morning of June 8, enjoy the annual Pride Parade that starts at 9:30 a.m. from the Nebraska State Capitol.
Donate a new or gently-used coat to Operation Warmth
You can help ensure Husker students in need have a safe and warm winter in Nebraska. Dive into your closet - or a local clothing outlet - to help the campus community collect 50 winter coats and jackets that will be distributed in early autumn.
Full details about Operation Warmth are found here. The coat drive is spearheaded by UNL's Big Red Resilience and Well-being; Husker Pantry; and Gender and Sexuality Center.
Drop-off days are July 8-12 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the University Health Center, Room 127.
Read books by LGBTQA+ authors
Reading LGBTQA+ books - especially those written by LGBTQA+ authors - is an excellent way to connect with the community and learn about the amazing diversity of experiences.
You can support these authors and their works by purchasing their books from local LGBTQA+-affirming businesses or by borrowing from your local library.
Lincoln bookshops on the list are A Novel Idea; Francie & Finch; Bluestem Books; and Indigo Bridge.
On campus, Gender and Sexuality Center's libraries are open Monday–Friday year-round for individuals to check out books and media items at no cost.
Display visible signs of Inclusion
This is a great and easy way to signal to LGBTQA+ persons and allies that your space, office, business, and home are a safe place. Examples include:
- Wearing ally stickers and buttons and flying any LGBTQA+ flag.
- Communicating and displaying messages saying All Are Welcome.
- At UNL, individual staff and faculty can request a LGBTQA+ Inclusive Card to display in their office space.
Donate to LGBTQA+ causes
There are so many organizations that provide vital services to LGBTQA+ people, and making a financial donation is a great way to support your local organizations.
You can directly benefit UNL students with a charitable donation to the LGBTQA+ Student Support Fund though the University of Nebraska Foundation. The fund assists current students who experience a financial emergency or unanticipated expenses causing short-term financial hardship that requires immediate attention to keep the student enrolled.