VOTE WITH PRIDE

GLAAD is kicking off Pride month this year by celebrating our community with a renewed determination to protect the rights LGBTQ activists and allies have worked so hard to secure. This year has seen nearly 250 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced to state legislatures, including Florida’s notorious “Don’t Say Gay/Trans” bill, which is set to go into effect on July 1.

It’s clear that we are facing a coordinated attack on LGBTQ rights. Unfortunately, in most cases, these efforts are attacking our most vulnerable community members: LGBTQ youth.

That is why this year, we at GLAAD are asking you to show your Pride this month by pledging to vote in this year’s midterm elections. We must show our representatives that we will fight these attacks with our strongest weapon: our voices and votes.

The CDC recently released a report stating that one in four LGBTQ teenagers attempted suicide in the first half of 2021, and nearly 50% have thought about it during the same time period.

It’s more critical than ever that we vote for politicians who support the LGBTQ community. The time is NOW and our very freedom is at stake. So please, pledge to vote this fall. Our lives depend on it.

PRIDE UNBOXED

Pride is here… and as one of GLAAD’s most dedicated supporters, we wanted you to have the first look inside our 2022 Pride box! Celebrating the LGBTQ community is an especially powerful – and necessary – action this year. We have seen over 200 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced to state legislatures as of only April, with many targeting the most vulnerable members of our community – LGBTQ youth. With midterm elections approaching, we have an opportunity to drive LGBTQ voters and allies to the polls to combat discriminatory legislation. Your monthly gift is the most efficient way to fuel this work. This year’s items include a Jibbitz Pack from Crocs, a pair of Bombas socks, a special ticket offer to watch A Strange Loop on Broadway, and more! The first 50 people who make a monthly gift of $19 or more a month will receive a Google Nest Audio with their Pride Unboxed. 

REPORTS & RELEASES

GLAAD’s Recommendations for Corporate Allies were developed to educate corporate leaders on LGBTQ allyship and best practices around engaging with the LGBTQ community. GLAAD’s  Recommendations for Corporate Allies includes best practices for brands’ work during and outside of June, LGBTQ Pride Month. According to GLAAD’s President and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis, “The journey to true allyship for LGBTQ people is not always easy, but it is always important. We look forward to seeing more and more corporations step up their game and put GLAAD’s Recommendations for Corporate Allies to good use.” For more information about the recommendations, click here. Later this month, a new Accelerating Acceptance report as well as a new Social Media Safety Index so keep an eye out for those.

BETTY WHO

On June 3rd, Betty Who will release a new single “Blow Out My Candle”.  The 80s-inspired track is a catchy ode to perseverance, with a chorus that activates the dancefloor: “You can blow out my candle, but you’ll never put out my fire.”  Keeping with the theme of the song, she also has also released a Betty Who candle, with a percentage of the proceeds going to GLAAD. The candles are available for purchase here.  Betty Who is also working in tandem with GLAAD to fight against the anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ legislation by getting record numbers of people to get out and vote. You can pledge to vote here.

CAN’T CANCEL PRIDE

 iHeartRadio and P&G are excited to announce the return of Can’t Cancel Pride 2022 – Proud AND Together. A fundraiser for the LGBTQ+ community celebrating visibility and inclusivity for all.

Tune in, Tuesday, June 14th, as JoJo Siwa hosts the most influential voices in the LGBTQ+ community as well as the biggest names in culture and entertainment. The event will honor Icon Elton John with the first-ever Impact Award for his humanitarian work through the Elton John AIDS Foundation, marking its 30-year history. Among other LGBTQ organizations, GLAAD is a recipient of Can’t Cancel Pride fundraising for our work providing resources and services to accelerate acceptance and advance the quality, quantity, and diversity of LGBTQ representation across media platforms.

You can view the event and donate live on June 14 on iHeartRadio’s TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, or visit CantCancelPride.com to donate now!