What Pride Means to Gen Z

As Pride Month comes to a close, it's important that we take a moment to reflect on what pride actually means within the LGBTQ+ community. Of course, this year pride looks different from previous years in light of COVID-19 and the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement, but it is more crucial than ever that we recognize its meaning and origins.

Many LGBTQ+ people have been able to use their voices for good as we should be hearing from people in the community.

More specifically, teens.

The next generation.

LGBTQ+ teens all across the country have personal unique views of what Pride Month means to them.

It's time we really listen to their voices and hear their own words.

”What pride means to me is that it is a reminder that I am valid, I am equal, I am human, and that I deserve love and acceptance, despite the fact that everywhere else in the world (being heteronormative) telling me that I am inferior or that I am somehow “wrong” or even “sinful”. Pride is a reminder that even when hate may try to rise up, love always wins, and that I have the right as a sexual minority to love a man and be with a man just as how any human being can be with a lover. Pride means that I belong here, and that I’m not a mistake.” - 18, Pennsylvania

“Pride Month for me has always felt like less of a time for celebration and acceptance of the many sexualities and genders and identities that make the world interesting, and more of an opportunity for corporations to prove how “woke” they are, only to ignore LGBTQ+ issues as soon as the month ends. With COVID-19, our parades and celebrations have all been cancelled. And, with the Black Lives Matter movement, there seem to be more pressing social issues - spending time on LGBTQ+ issues are, at first look, on the back burner. but I think a lot of people forget that pride was started by black trans women. LGBTQ+ issues and the BLM movement go hand in hand. Entering June, a lot of us have to remind each other that not only do black lives matter, but black trans lives matter. black bisexual lives matter. black nonbinary lives matter. as well as every other LGBTQ+ identity. Spending time educating ourselves about other movements does not discard the importance of the LGBTQ+ community within those movements. We are everywhere, and the LGBTQ+ community (especially the white LGBTQ+ people) need to speak up about the black lives matter movement. We need to find strength in numbers. It is important to me that every LGBTQ+ person can enjoy pride, regardless of race. If it’s not colorful, how is it a real rainbow?

More personally, though I go to a school and live in an area where I feel very safe as a bisexual teen, June has always felt like a month where I am especially proud to be in the LGBTQ+ community. There are so many people coming out and being proud of who they are and it’s so welcoming. It’s all about celebrating that we live in a society where people are (more or less) free to be themselves. We have a long way to go with LGBTQ+ acceptance and representation, but pride month is also just a reminder of how far we’ve come. Though a lot of celebrations have been cancelled this year, LGBTQ+ people still have a community around to support them.” - 17, Washington

“I am both Catholic and bisexual; the two are not opposed. I recognize I most definitely will have a different take on this than most, but I believe that I need to say what I need to say to defend both my faith and my orientation.

When man and woman were created, their first sin was of pride. In the late Old English meaning of the word, pride meant, “excessive self-esteem.” Now, the LGBTQ+ community has more or less hijacked the word and given it a whole new meaning, that of being confident, socially marginalized as one may be. No one was made perfect, not even strictly heterosexual people, for “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

The Church has not abandoned me; on the contrary, she has embraced me with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, par. 2358). I do staunchly believe pride is more divisive than it is unitive, and I believe it does more harm than good. When we allow this one part of our lives to define us, this one part that we cannot even change, it really drives a wedge between us and those that are not like us, we who have differing orientations than what is normal.

But everyone I’ve ever known who knows how I think on this subject has never once hated me, or anything close to it, regardless of their own orientation. I belong, first and foremost, to the human race, as do we all. That’s the only group I really need to associate myself with; anything beyond that is more divisive than anything. The Church is the one place where I’ve always felt most at home, most accepted, and most loved.” - 18, Michigan

“Pride is a celebration of the accomplishments and bravery of the LGBTQIA+ community. It’s important to me because it was very hard to accept myself and to tell the people around me about my sexuality. During this month I’m able to celebrate with people who have similar experiences. I’ve never been to a pride parade myself (although I want to) but the virus kind of prevented that from happening this year. Honestly, currently I feel sort of outcasted in the community because I have a religious background and I have never had the opportunity to participate in the “gay scene” yet.” - 18, Pennsylvania

“To me, pride is very important. I’m a lesbian in the closet because my parents just won’t let me be gay. My mom says it’s not what God wants for me. I’ve hidden it since 6th grade. I tried to come out as bisexual in 8th grade but it didn’t go well. After months of pressure from my mom, I had to tell her it was all a phase. When I got a boyfriend after trying to come out, she even told me to let him know I was just going through some stuff when I identified as bisexual.

Then, on my way to 11th grade, I figured out I was a lesbian and my heart kinda shattered. If I wasn’t bisexual it meant I couldn’t be with men, and I would ruin my parents lives one day when I introduce them to my fiancé, who will be a girl.

Although I can’t be open in my own home, the LGBTQ+ community is a great place for me. Because of the community and pride month, I feel less invisible. Because these people and pride month exist, I have a home where everyone accepts me.

Even though I’ve been unable to attend pride fest, due to my parents being very against it, I know that as soon as I can go to one, I'll feel comfortable in my skin. After spending so long feeling invisible, unlovable and suicidal, pride month and the support of the LGBTQ+ community has made me feel safe and sane.

Some people who aren’t part of the LGBTQ+ are very offended by pride month, but they don’t understand what LGBTQ+ people go through for loving someone. You can see from what I’ve told you, that I can’t even be myself in my own home which is meant to be the safest space for me. Pride is an alternate reality for me kind of, as I can stop masking myself for family approval, and instead be who I am.” - 17, Colorado

As you can see, many within the community have quite different views and personal experiences with pride and how it impacts their lives. It's important that we hear their stories and really listen as Generation Z will shape the future of the LGBTQ+ community.