June is pride month across America and rarely does any month dedicated to a cause evoke such controversy. Corporate America is behind the LBGTQ community. For an entire month, rainbow is the word and it sells well. There are the flags of course, but so much more. Every age group is bombarded with things such as rainbow ponies, Rainbow Brite dolls, rainbow pencil boxes, rainbow underwear, rainbow bikinis, rainbow donuts, rainbow socks, and rainbow unmentionables.

Indeed, more than 500 companies across the country are on a list showing which companies have corporate policies and practices supportive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer employees.

Not everyone responds favorably to Pride-themed products or the month in general. Ironically, both massive corporate support of, and the conservative backlash to Pride Month have produced the same question: “Do we really need a Pride month?”

For the 83,000 people (a majority of which are teens) who can’t yet live the truth of their lives, June is the month in which they feel comfortable living out loud. Until they are proud of who they are every month of the year, June is what they hold onto, live for and wait for every year. They would give a resounding yes to the question.

There are avenues of support specially designed for young people:

The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is determined to end suicide among LGBTQ youth by providing life-saving and life-affirming resources including our nationwide, 24/7 crisis intervention lifeline, digital community and advocacy/educational programs that create a safe, supportive and positive environment for everyone.

CenterLink (lgbtcenters.org)
CenterLink helps develop strong, sustainable LGBT community centers and builds a thriving center network that creates healthy, vibrant communities.

Pride Foundation (pridefoundation.org)
Pride Foundation supports people, places, & ideas that are transforming our region. Together, we’re building a shared movement for equality focused on our shared humanity through grants, scholarships, community organizing, policy advocacy, and investments.

These and most websites will ask for a donation. You are not obligated to give one. You will receive the information you seek with or without a donation.