Taste the Rainbow. No, I am not referring to Skittles. June is Pride month, and “taste the rainbow” is a common phrase I hear as I am walking into stores, attending local Pride events or traveling to different cities to celebrate Pride, but what does that really mean?
June is many people’s favorite time of the year. It’s summer, the sun is out, the days are longer and people are eager to experience the outdoors. It’s also a time of celebration across the U.S. for LGBTQ+ communities and allies. It’s a celebration of freedom, speech, expression and pride in who they are. Happy Pride!
Over the last couple of weeks, I have had several conversations with LGBTQ+ community members about Pride, and they all started with the same question: “What is your preferred destination to celebrate ‘Pride’ month in June?” Many events, experiences, and destinations were mentioned. But there was one city mentioned several times that sparked my excitement since I have yet to visit. Want to take a wild guess? It's New Orleans!
As some call it, NOLA (short for New Orleans, Louisiana) has an estimated 4.7% LGBTQ+ community members, according to a (2022) report by the William Institute at UCLA. Although that may seem like a small percentage, the city finds a way to make a BIG deal to actively celebrate and support their LGBTQ+ communities. For this reason, there are a couple components of their celebrations that I want to be sure to highlight.
- During June, there are many festivals and events that shed light on the community. The Ultimate New Orleans Pride Guide does a great job of highlighting all of the exciting places and events locals and visitors can participate in.
- The city invests in the LGBTQ+ community all year long.
- Examples include:
- Project Lazarus of New Orleans supporting those living with HIV
- PFLAG New Orleans an organization helping LQBTQ+ community members and their families stay connected and offering resources like counseling
- Examples include:
- Throughout the destination there are established community centers that support local LGBTQ+ communities including:
- The New Orleans Transgender Institute
- NOAGE a resource center for elder LGBTQ+ community members
Why are these three elements so important? Because they counteract performative activism, actions taken to boost one's social status rather than out of a genuine commitment to a cause. In other words, they ensure that events, celebrations and campaigns support the LGBTQ+ in meaningful ways.
New Orleans is one of many extraordinary cities that celebrate Pride and do an excellent job supporting and collaborating with their communities. Looking beyond Pride month, destinations can create an even greater, lasting impact by reinvesting in the LGBTQ+ community—which, in turn, helps the broader community and local businesses. A city that reinvests in its diverse communities is a compass for understanding safe places for people to celebrate and visit.
I can’t wait to visit New Orleans during Pride month to enjoy the city’s diverse culture, food and art. Let’s celebrate and support LQBTQ+ communities by creating awareness and opportunities for events that provide resources and support for the community.
