Girl Scouts River Valleys Volunteers

Resources for River Valleys' Volunteers

Celebrate Pride Month

Throughout the month of June, we’re celebrating Pride Month by inviting our members to learn more about the rich and intersectional history of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, and asexual-plus (LGBTQIA+) community both nationally and locally. Our commitment to anti-racism includes an understanding that many forms of oppression exist and need to be recognized both outside and within LGBTQIA+ community, as members experience the need for allyship in unique ways.

Girl Scouts of all levels can earn the Pride Month Fun Patch by participating in fun and engaging activities that honor the culture and contributions of the queer community. Check out the resources below to find opportunities for your Girl Scout to delve into LBGTQIA+ history, stories, trailblazers, and more! Plus, don’t forget to familiarize yourself with our gender inclusion practices.

What is Pride Month?

Pride Month is celebrated each June in the U.S., with parades and other celebrations taking place across the country to celebrate the contributions of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, and asexual-plus (LGBTQIA+) community. This month-long celebration commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Riots, and recognizes the important contributions of the LGBTQIA+ folks while amplifying their voices and the issues that most deeply affect them. Join us in celebrating our LGBTQIA+ members, volunteers, Girl Scouts, and partners.

Connecting with our commitments to inclusion and anti-racism

At Girl Scouts River Valleys, we are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all Girl Scouts and their families. People experience the need for allyship in unique ways – our commitment to anti-racism includes an understanding that many forms of oppression exist and need to be recognized, both within and outside the LGBTQIA+ community.

How do I earn the fun patch?I'm a Girl Scout, LGBTQ+ Pride Month

The Girl Scout LGBTQ+ Pride Month Celebration Fun Patch is designed for Girl Scouts of all levels and their leaders to honor LGBTQ+ history, to celebrate the diverse cultures and identities of LGBTQ+ people, and to acknowledge the many contributions these folks have made and continue to make across our nation. Girl Scouts and leaders have plenty of activities to choose from to earn this fun patch, and we encourage Girl Scouts of all identities to participate. Download the LGBTQ+ Month Activity Sheet in English or Spanish to learn more.

Resources to Celebrate Pride Month

Check out the resources below to find opportunities to learn more about LBGTQIA+ history, stories, trailblazers, and more!

In addition to these resources, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with Girl Scouts River Valleys’ gender inclusion practices.

Attend a Local Event

Twin Cities

  • Hastings Pride Festival: The festival will kick off with a Parade open to all. Followed by music, entertainment, face painting, vendor, bounce house, games and fun for all!
  • MNSOC Youth Pride 2023: An annual event for LGBTQ2IA+ school-aged people! Be entertained by local youth performers, enjoy outdoor active fun including inflatables, and dance the day away with a local DJ!
  • St. Paul Pride Festival: St. Paul Pride Festival is a free public event that works toward a future without discrimination where all people have equal rights under the law and in the hearts and minds of each other.
  • Golden Valley Pride Festival: The Golden Valley Pride Festival is an annual celebration of LGBTQIA+ and allied individuals, families, and friends, which takes place at Brookview Park in Golden Valley.
  • Chaska Pride Picnic: Join the City of Chaska’s Human Rights Commission in a fun, family-friendly celebration of the rich diversity of the community and its LGBTQ+ members.  There will be ice cream, tons of activities for the young and old at heart, and, of course, dancing.
  • Family Fun Day: Celebrate Father’s Day at Twin Cities Pride’s Family Fun Day. Fun and games for kids provided, plus stop and visit with local community partners—like Girl Scouts River Valleys!
  • Twin Cities Pride Festival: The 51st annual Twin Cities Pride Festival will be held at Loring Park and Parade Park in Minneapolis June 23 – 25, 2023 and will feature local BIPOC and LGBTQ+ vendors, food courts, a beer garden, and music stages.

Further Afield

  • Pride in the Park: Northfield’s 3rd Annual Pride Celebration: Join Northfield neighbors in Central Park, Northfield, MN for their third annual Pride celebration! Resources, vendors, food, entertainment, and community.
  • East Central Minnesota Pride: The first rural Pride! Join friends and neighbors from Pine, Isanti, Chisago, Kanabec and Mille Lacs counties for this Pride celebration! Noon – 5 p.m. are the main events at Robinson Park, in the town square of Pine City.

Visit Museums & Exhibits

  • “Going Out, Coming In” Exhibit at Mill City Museum: This exhibit highlights sites where queer people found or created community while addressing the systemic challenges of legal and extralegal discrimination, urban renewal, and HIV/AIDS.
  • Spotlight Science, SciPride: SciPride celebrates the scientific contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community at the University of Minnesota. Kick off Pride Month by connecting with a diverse group of students, faculty and research staff. Learn about their science through hands-on activities, demonstrations, and brief presentations around the museum.

Explore Books, Videos & Podcasts

  • Twas the Night Before Pride: This joyful picture-book homage to a day of community and inclusion—and to the joys of anticipation—is also a comprehensive history. With bright, buoyant illustrations and lyrical, age-appropriate rhyme modeled on “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” it tackles difficult content such as the Stonewall Riots and the AIDS marches.
  • Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution!: The Story of the Trans Women of Color Who Made LGBTQ+ History: This illustrated book introduces children to the story of Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, the two transgender women of colour who helped kickstart the Stonewall Riots and dedicated their lives to fighting for LGBTQ+ equality.
  • 47,000 Beads: Peyton (Lakota) loves to dance, and especially at pow wow, but her Auntie notices that she’s been dancing less and less. When Peyton shares that she just can’t be comfortable wearing a dress anymore, Auntie Eyota asks some friends for help to get Peyton what she needs on her Two-Spirit path.
  • And Tango Makes Three: A picture book for readers of any age, based on the true story of two male penguins at the Central Park Zoo who raised a chick together.
  • I Am Jazz: The story of a transgender child based on the real-life experience of Jazz Jennings, who, now a YouTube celebrity, spokesmodel, activist, and author of the memoir Being Jaz, has become a role model for trans kids everywhere.
  • Out!: How to Be Your Authentic Self: Miles McKenna is a queer and trans activist who transitioned online in front of a million people. His survival guide covers questions big and small: How to stay safe when coming out in a toxic environment, what to do if you don’t feel comfortable with your birth name, what style haircut best suits your identity, and how to find your chosen family.
  • How To Be A LGBTQIA+ Ally – AMAZE Org: A short video for kids offering simple and easy tips to be an ally and support LGBTQIA+ friends and loved ones.
  • Rosaline (2016 Series): Incorporating LGBT themes, Rosaline tells the story of a fairytale adventure through the woods. On the way to find her sweetheart, Rosaline must stay true to herself while encountering a witch, a wolf, and even a fairy godmother.
  • Out (2020 Film): The story of Greg and his boyfriend Manuel who are packing for a big move when Greg’s folksy, traditional parents drop by unexpectedly, sending the still-closeted Greg into a panic.
  • Tyler (2020 Film): The story of precocious 9-year-old Tyler and his older brother Daniel who go out to a diner, where Tyler reveals his crush is a boy. Initially shocked, Daniel asks how long he’s known he’s gay to which Tyler asks, “How long have you known you’re straight?” Touché, Tyler!
  • In a Heartbeat: In this animated short film, a closeted boy runs the risk of being outed by his own heart after it pops out of his chest to chase down the boy of his dreams.
  • Queer Kid Stuff (YouTube Channel): An edutainment company that brings LGBTQ+ and social justice media to kids and families. Queer Kid Stuff makes informational videos, podcasts, newsletters, and more.
  • The Fosters (TV Series): The Freeform TV series follows the story of a blended, multi-racial family raised by two moms, Lena and Stef.
  • Queer As Fact: A queer history podcast exploring topics and figures from around the world, and examine their place in the wider context of queer history.
  • Activist, You! podcast: Activist, You! is Kids & Family podcast focusing on social justice. Every episode, host Lindz Amer interviews different kid and youth activists, learning about their dedicated social justice topic, and how and why they became activists.

Other Resources

 

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