Happy Pride Month!
The Meaning of Pride Month
PRIDE is an acronym for Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity and Excellence. These values resonate with me. When one of my stylists asked if we could celebrate and support Pride month at Allure, it was an easy yes for our team.
This newsletter gave Nicole, a talented & brilliant stylist at Allure, an opportunity to shed light on what Pride really is.
- Shelly
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The month of June is an exciting time for many people. More specifically, it's the time the LGBTQ community educates, celebrates and reminds us of all the struggles, fights, protests, voices, stories, and trailblazers.
Pride month commemorates the many outspoken individuals who blazed the trail and fought for the community's acknowledgement and inclusion in society and who left us too soon. It also reminds us about the awareness fostered from protesting and campaigning. It makes a space for this underserved community and commands respect and equality for LGBTQ individuals.
We remember all those angels who lost their life for just trying to exist and be who they felt they were, the people who couldn't see past the pain and left us too soon. Statistics will show that the LGBTQ youth is among the largest group of people to commit suicide along with LGBTQ adults, specifically those who identify as transgender. LGBTQ people face losing so much in this life, just to be themselves. We're often disowned by our families, kicked out of our homes, turned down for jobs, and the list goes on.
Prejudices are a learned trait, not hardwired into us; and generally speaking, ignorance is rooted in misinformation and education. It is the past said individuals and historical events that has allowed for the scientific studies that have resulted in medical & pharmaceutical breakthroughs, as well as a better understanding as too how, why, and what makes us the way we are.
That has allowed for legislation to be passed, giving LGBTQ individuals the same chances and opportunities as everyone else in this world; and has allowed for the manufacturing and access to the life saving medical care one needs and should have the right to.
It allows for the sometimes tough discussions and debates that can change one's perception of the LGBTQ individual, and also the community as a whole.
The LGBTQ community doesn't just include the individuals who identify as that, it wouldn't be complete or even exist really without the allies. People in the general population who don't identify as LGBTQ, but respect us as human beings and advocates for our inclusion and equal rights.
Lastly, we celebrate! This can take many forms, but the principle stays the same. We're here and we're not going anywhere. Often times, everyone is encouraged to join the celebration to show their support. There are many ways to show support, but love and kindness are key. This means reaching out to individuals you may know and reminding them they are important to you, reassuring LGBTQ individuals that they belong in the same spaces as everyone else, hearing their stories, acknowledging their pronouns, and joining the fun at the parades and festivals. A sense of community can be achieved when we all feel welcomed and safe in the spaces around us, and this is fostered in inclusion and communication.
- Nicole
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Allure will be donating a portion of its proceeds for the month of June to Howard Brown Health network of Chicago. They have done tremendous work for the community and it is important for that work to be celebrated and uplifted. We invite you to join us in donating:
