June is Pride Month, which is an annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. Whether you identify as LGBTQ+ yourself or are an ally, taking your children to Pride Month activities can be an enriching experience for the entire family. I am a proud ally and my kids know which of my personal friends and family are LGBTQ+. Taking my children to Pride activities is our personal show of support for those loved ones.
To us, going to Pride Month feels the same as going to a friend’s recital, baseball game, church performance, or graduation. We are there to show our love and support. The added bonus is that Pride Month activities are VERY FUN!
Des Moines’ 44th annual PrideFest is this June 9-11, 2023 in the historic East Village. My “must-do” list includes going to the parade with the kids, wearing my “Free Mom Hugs” shirt, and having a girls’ night out to see drag superstar Trixie Mattel perform a DJ set!
Here are some benefits to taking your entire family to experience Pride Month.
Learn more about identities and experiences
I have been an ally most of my life and I still learned a thing or two at Capital City Pride activities last year. Pride activities offer a unique opportunity for your family to learn about the diverse identities and experiences within the LGBTQ+ community. Your children can meet people from different backgrounds, learn about their stories, and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges they face. This can help broaden their perspectives and foster empathy and compassion.
Inclusivity in action
You can explain to your children that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and kindness, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other aspect of their identity. This can help your children develop a positive and open-minded attitude toward others.
I loved seeing so many local companies represented in the Pride Parade. We saw a lot of our kids’ friends and their parents in the parade really making it a strong, positive community event.
You can even volunteer (over 18 only)! Capital City Pride has a volunteer sign-up sheet. You can also sign up for the Iowa chapter of Free Mom Hugs, which is as simple as it sounds – moms giving hugs!
To have FUN!
Pride activities are FUN! They are colorful, full of energy, and feature lots of unique entertainment. Parades! Concerts! Fun runs! Check the schedule and decide what is best for your family. There are some bar club events that aren’t kid-friendly (like any event at a bar), but the majority are family-friendly. Yes, even (and especially) the drag shows.
Taking your kids to Pride events in Des Moines is a fun and meaningful experience.
