Gender identity

This resource is specific to the experiences of LGBTQ people living in the United States who identify as African American.

Straight for Equality is a program of PFLAG National designed to invite, educate, and engage allies in the movement for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) equality.

To explain just how much gay rights differ on an international scale, Business Insider created this set of maps to visualize the issue. The results show that while homosexuality is no longer outlawed in the majority of the world, there's still a long way to go in terms of acceptance and equality for LGBTQ people.

The real issue is that, while strictly true, "All Lives Matter" is a tone-deaf slogan that distracts from the real problems black people in America face.

The best explanation we've seen so far comes from Reddit, of all places. Last year, in an "Explain Like I'm 5" thread, user GeekAesthete explained, clearly and succinctly, why changing #BlackLivesMatter to #AllLivesMatter is an act of erasure that makes lots of people cringe.

People around the world face violence and inequality—and sometimes torture, even execution—because of who they love, how they look, or who they are. Sexual orientation and gender identity are integral aspects of our selves and should never lead to discrimination or abuse. Human Rights Watch works for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender peoples' rights, and with activists representing a multiplicity of identities and issues.

Many counter-protests and die-ins have been organized at Pride festivals across the U.S. to take a stand against the erasure of multiply-marginalized members of the LGBTQ community from Pride events. Protest is an effective means of spurring change, but there are other ways to make pride more intersectional.

In this op-ed, writer Ryan Houlihan explores key guidelines for non-LGBTQ allies to follow during Pride month — and every other day of the year.

In this op-ed, writer Phillip Henry explores how the backlash against a more inclusive pride flag served as a reminder of racism inherent in the LGBTQ community.

We all need allies. Through the years, our heterosexual and cisgender allies have shown tremendous support to LGBTQ+ family members, friends and colleagues, helped to raise visibility and worked tirelessly alongside us to create vital political change. We are a family, and allies are an indispensable component of that supportive group.

It's Pride Month and here's how you can celebrate!