There are plenty of great ways to honor, learn and celebrate Pride Month with you and your little ones. We spoke with Lurie Children's Hospital’s Potocsnak Family Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine to share helpful conversation starters about Pride for young families, how to celebrate with your community, and ways to continue to be an ally this month and every month.
Left to right: Dawn Ravine, MPH (she/her/hers), Program Coordinator, Sexuality Health Education; Faith Knocke, M.Ed. (they/them/theirs), Program Assistant, Community Programs & Initiatives
1: Talk About Pride
“To understand Pride, it is important that kids understand LGBTQ+ identities. Keep it simple! A great, simple explanation that satisfies most young children is something like, ‘When two boys love each other or when two girls love each other.’ By preschool, kids understand basic concepts about gender identities and family structures if you model it in simple, age-appropriate language. It can be as simple as asking, ‘Did you know some families have two mommies? Or two daddies? Or one parent instead of two?’
“Explain that Pride is a celebration of these identities. If your kids have questions as to why Pride Month started, provide them with historical context about Stonewall and think about how to frame the conversation in a way that promotes LGBTQ+ celebration and resilience.”
For more information on key terms and resources, visit the Lurie Children’s Hospital website..
Image provided by Lurie Children's Hospital’s Potocsnak Family Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine..
2: Attend a Pride Parade
“Pride Parades (also known as Pride Marches, Pride Events and Pride Festivals) are events where people support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary and queer (LGBTQ) acceptance, achievements, legal rights and Pride.”
Family Fun Tip: Get creative! Make signs together and hold them with pride at your local parade or event. The more glitter, the better...
Image provided by Lurie Children's Hospital’s Potocsnak Family Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine..
3: Don’t Feel Comfortable with Crowds Just Yet? Host a Small At-Home Celebration
“Support or host your own neighborhood Pride Event—something local and meaningful celebrating the LGBTQ+ people and organizations in your community that make it special! Grab the rainbow gear, some Pride-themed snacks and a great playlist, and celebrate at home with family and friends or other folks in your neighborhood! Is there a particular family member or loved one you want to honor and support during your celebration? Have the kids make them a card or a picture!”
4: Learn Flag Facts (plus Crafts!)
“In 1977, Harvey Milk challenged Gilbert Baker to come up with a symbol of pride for the gay community. The Pride Flag, inspired by Judy Garland's "Over the Rainbow," flew at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade celebration on June 25, 1978.”
—Red is for life
—Orange is for healing
—Yellow is for sunlight
—Green is for nature
—Blue is for harmony/serenity
—Purple is for spirit
—Brown and Black is for Diversity and Inclusion
Family Fun Tip: Using colored construction paper, make homemade rainbow art with your kids while sharing the history of Pride and the flag. Put them on display in your windows or on your fridge.
Inspiring page turners, like “An ABC of Equality” and “Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls,” provide messages of inclusion, empowerment and equality that can be enjoyed all year long.
5: Keep the Conversation Going All Year Long
For Pride month and all year long, keep the dialogue going by reading inspiring stories for young readers with LGTBQIA+ characters and messages, like Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls and An ABC of Equality.
Need help getting started? Check out real-life examples of adults and youth having quick, meaningful conversations around these topics with Lurie's Never Fear Talks!
For more information on how Lurie Children's supports the LGBTQ+ community, click here.
