PrideWorks? Yes it Does!

As a birthday present to my son, I invited him to participate and volunteer at an LGBTQ focused conference in Tarrytown, NY. There, we were lucky enough to spend the day learning and sharing with hundreds of other LGBTQ youth and straight allies.

This annual conference is called PrideWorks, and oh does it! I heard a central theme throughout the day, which was, "If we lived in a more accepting, tolerant and loving culture that encourages everyone to take pride in their innate beauty, then we would have less suicides, truancy, alcoholism, and other self injurious behaviors." One example of that is that studies show that any school that has a GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) builds confidence and pride in their students because the students feel like they belong and are supported.

As my son and I, who both identify as gay, walked out of the conference, I wished him "happy birthday" once more with my arm over his shoulders. He was beaming with pride thinking about his participation in the day's work and said, "You know, I think pride really does work!"

You bet it does.

How have you helped a young person feel a sense of pride this month? Please reply below.