Hosting an event during Pride Month is a meaningful and fun way for small business owners to show their pride and support for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Deciding what event to host can be a tough decision, so to help you out, we've gathered six ideas for Pride events that you can host. The best events are often centered around support, advocacy, education, and social opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.
Of course, you and your employees can also show support for your local LGBTQ+ community by sponsoring and participating in all kinds of Pride events, such as parades, drag shows, and festivals. You can also check event calendars, news sites, and social media to connect with organizers in your area.
Before hosting a Pride event, consider how welcoming and inclusive your business and space are. Pride events should be an authentic expression of your business's values. Organizing an event will come more naturally if you support the LGBTQ+ community year-round and have built relationships with customers, employees, other business owners, and community members before June rolls around.
1. Banned books open mic night
The past year has been a record-breaker for banning books in schools and libraries across the country, with 1,858 books targeted. "Most of the targeted books were written by or about members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people of color," the American Library Association said in a news release.
Host an open-mic night at your store and invite customers to read their favorite passages from banned books with LGBTQ+ themes. Consider partnering with a local bookshop to sell books, or invest in a collection of popular banned books to sell yourself. These seven titles all top the most-banned books list for 2023 and would be good to have on hand:
- “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe
- “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson
- “This Book Is Gay” By Juno Dawson
- “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky
- “Flamer” by Mike Curato
- “Tricks” by Ellen Hopkins
- “Let’s Talk About It” by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan
Be sure to set up a "stage" area with a microphone and sound system. Create a cozy and inviting area for customers to listen to readers and have discussions. Drinks and snacks are a great way to encourage customers to engage with one another during the event.
2. Panel discussion or featured speaker
Open up your business or rent space at a local library or college to host a discussion about LGBTQ+ issues. This kind of event can be as formal or casual as you'd like. Speakers could be members of the state legislature or city council, or they could be customers who'd like to share their experiences.
Topics for a speaker or speaker panel could include:
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace
- Health care and the LGBTQ+ community
- LGBTQ+ rights in your city or state
- Allyship
- The history and celebrations of Pride Month
- Something related to your business, like a panel of LGBTQ+ creators or entrepreneurs
3. Pride-themed trivia night
Partner with a local brewery — or host it yourself! — to hold a Pride-themed trivia night. You can look for free quizzes online, work with a trivia host, or develop questions yourself. Be sure to have pencils, paper, and a writing surface for participants. The trivia host should have a microphone and sound system as well as a structured way to score trivia teams. Drinks, snacks, and music can create an upbeat atmosphere. Be sure to have a donated prize for the winning team.
Trivia games usually last about an hour and have multiple themed rounds. Consider using themes that feature well-known LGBTQ+ actors, celebrities, and advocates; historical firsts and events; music written or sung by LGBTQ+ performers; and fun facts about Pride Month. The best trivia nights are the ones where everyone learns something new, so have fun creating the questions!