School is ending and summer is beginning, but there is another important event that may pass every year without your notice. June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month (LGBT Pride Month). Pride Month is celebrated at this time to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan. The Stonewall riots were a tipping point for the LGBT movement in the United States. Pride isn't all parades and festivals; it's about LGBT people being visible and embraced in our communities. (To learn more about the history of LGBT Pride in Wisconsin please visit, mkelgbthist.org.)

You may have already parented a youth who identifies as LGBT, or you may not have done so yet. We know that one part of growing up is figuring out one's identity. This includes sexual orientation and gender identity. These identities aren't something many non-LGBT people think about. However, for a little over 10% of youth, that identity will fall into the LGBT spectrum. You can help the children and youth in your home by supporting them through the process of figuring out who they are. They may even come out to you and share more about their feelings about their identities. Regardless, your support and understanding can help increase the child or youth's self-esteem and self-worth well into adulthood.

Whether you are LGBT, have an LGBT child in your home, or neither, everyone can celebrate pride. Here are some ideas for celebrating LGBT Pride Month: 

• Rent a movie or watch a television show featuring or including LGBT characters with your family.
• Go to your local pride parade. (To find out when/where, contact the LGBT center nearest to you - see the Resources section below.)
• Do research as a family on the history of LGBT rights in this country and others.
• Visit your local LGBT center and ask what kinds of programming they offer.
• Volunteer at the LGBT Pride event nearest you.