Pride Month may be coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean the celebrations have to come to a stop! There are still tons of ways to show your Pride from home and keep it going all-year long. Accora Village is a community proud of our inclusivity, and we thoroughly look forward to this time of year, every year. But here, we want you to feel free to celebrate yourself every day.
Our team has come up with a list of ideas for safe, pandemic-friendly activities that allow you to still get involved and show your support. Let’s dive in!
Contents
Decorate Your House
Show your support by decking out your house or apartment. The rainbow flag is always an appropriate and vibrant choice, so think about hanging it on your wall or in your window. Multi-coloured hearts spread around a window is always a nice way to go. There are other routes you can take too, whether you want more or a little less. Buying from a local 2SLGBTQ+ artist is a great way to support the community, for instance. Websites like Etsy also offer a number of pride-centric pieces. If you’re looking for something more do-it-yourself, there are a number of crafts and accompanying instructions online.
Make a Collaborative Playlist and Dance, Dance, Dance!
Just because you aren’t at the parade (can’t wait for next year) doesn’t mean you shouldn’t party a little bit. Build a playlist with your friends of all the songs you love to dance to at Pride and get yourself moving! Vamp it up a little by creating your own colourful, stylized look. Organize a virtual Pride Parade on Instagram with your friends where you all share your personalized looks.
2SLGBTQ+ Movie Marathon
Sometimes you want to celebrate while doing nothing at all, and that’s where movie marathons come in. Whether you’re by yourself or with your friends, popcorn and movies can be a great way to treat yourself. Some of our favourite picks include the following:
- Call Me By Your Name
- BPM (Beats Per Minute)
- And Then We Danced
- Love, Simon
- Pride
Join a Book Club
Some of the greatest discussions you’ll ever have are over books. Join a book club that reads 2SLGBTQ+ books regularly. The stories, whether fiction or nonfiction, and their characters can be inspiring. If you can’t find one in your area, start one. Some of the books you may want to include on your reading list are:
- The Colour Purple
- In At The Deep End
- City of Night
- Middlesex
- The Price of Salt
Join a Gay/Straight Alliance, or Create One
GSAs are community-based programs and support networks, which are often student-led. These can be found in middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities. It brings together students from the 2SLGBTQ+ community with cisgender heterosexual allies to educate and inform. If there is a GSA already in your community or school, why not join it? The more the merrier. If not, it’s time that one existed. Find out what you need to do to create a school club.
Donate to 2SLGBTQ+ Causes
There are several charities in Ottawa that you can donate to if you want to do more than simply celebrate Pride Month. Among them are Capital Rainbow Refuge, which provides sanctuary to refugees fleeing countries where same-sex relationships are punishable by brutality or death. There is also Family Services Ottawa’s LGBTTQ+ Around The Rainbow Program, which offers education, counselling, and support services for community members who need it. Volunteering is also greatly appreciated.
There are many ways to celebrate Pride Month from home. Whether it’s glamour and virtual parties, alone time with your favourite 2SLGBTQ+ movies and books, or community engagement, you can do things your way. Accora Village is a welcoming community that wants to celebrate with you, so don’t hesitate to contact us and book a tour if you’re looking for a new home for Pride Month. We’d love to welcome you home!
