June is Pride Month. It's a time to celebrate the diversity of the LGBTQ community and promote social equality. It's also a time to recognize the discrimination the LGBTQ community faces on a daily basis and be aware of how the current political climate affects their rights. Here are five ways to celebrate love and show support during this month (and always!).

1. Read a book or watch a movie with positive representations of complex queer characters

While the presence of LGBTQ characters has recently increased in movies and books, the media sometimes diminishes the characters and represents them as stereotypes or tropes. Watch films and read books with meaningful and complex LGBTQ characters.

2. Learn some new history

Now is the time to educate yourself on LGBTQ history, including LGBTQ leaders and those who advocated for LGBTQ rights. Watch a documentary or read a book. Learn why June was selected for Pride Month or learn about some historical LGBTQ figures.

https://www.adl.org/education/educator-resources/l...

3. Support local LGBTQ organizations

Donate your time and your money this month to local or national LGBTQ organizations. Locate LGBTQ youth shelters near you and learn about LGBT youth homeless rate. Or look in to the Human Rights Campaign, which is the largest LGBTQ advocacy group in the country.

4. Use inclusive language

This is a practice you can incorporate in your day to day life. Always be conscious of any discriminatory or harmful language and learn appropriate terminology when discussing gender, sexuality, race, class, and disability. Be an ally and an advocate.

https://open.buffer.com/inclusive-language-tech/

5. Attend a city-wide pride event

Celebrate the love and joy by looking for festivities in your area. Many cities throw parades, marches, and other fun events to commemorate the LGBTQ community.

2017 San Francisco Pride Paradehttps://twitter.com/SFPride/media

Happy Pride!