4.4K
June marks the beginning of Pride Month, a special time to celebrate the achievements of the LGBTQ+ community and continue to build inclusive, welcoming schools. As educators, you have the power to create classrooms where every student feels recognized, valued and respected. If you’re looking for ways to celebrate Pride Month with your students, check out these activities designed to highlight LGBTQ+ history and encourage ongoing conversation about inclusion, not just in June, but all year long.
What does pride month mean to children?
Pride month is a time to remember those who stand up for LGBTQ+ rights and celebrate the freedom to be yourself. It is an opportunity to remind students that everyone deserves kindness and respect. If you’re wondering how to celebrate Pride Month, you can use these Pride Month activities to introduce the topic to students of all ages.
Increase compassion and kindness with Pride Month activities for elementary students
With elementary students, using simple language and focusing on kindness, fairness, and respect goes a long way. You can explain that families and people are different – and that’s something we should celebrate.
For example, you might say: “A long time ago, some people did not show kindness to people who liked someone of the same sex or who did not fit traditional roles.” In 1969, brave people stood up for justice, now, every June, we celebrate Pride Month to remember them and honor kindness and respect for everyone.
These interviews help answer the question, “What is Pride Month for kids?” and show students how to celebrate in a meaningful way.
You can also introduce your readers to other LGBTQ+ heroes, such as:
- Harvey Milk (May 22, 1930-November 27, 1978): One of the first independent elected officials to believe that everyone should be treated fairly.
- Marsha P. Johnson (August 24, 1945-July 6, 1992): A humanitarian who helped homeless LGBTQ+ youth and advocated for people who were treated unfairly.
- Elton John (March 26, 1947): A famous singer who wears shiny clothes and uses his talents to spread kindness, teaching that it’s good to be yourself and share your gifts with the world.
When you include LGBTQ+ demographic issues in your classroom, you honor history and help your students grow in compassion and understanding. Pride month is about showing students that everyone deserves to see themselves reflected in the stories they read.
LGBTQ+ History Poster Set – Inclusive Classroom Posters with Choice Rating Analysis
Written by Novelle ELA
Grades: Any
Subjects: English Language Arts, Social Studies
This resource doesn’t just decorate your classroom – it supports learning by including a self-selected quote analysis activity, a comprehensive rubric, student reference reference cards, and a comprehensive teacher’s guide. It helps teachers create welcoming spaces where all students belong.
Build identity and understanding through Pride Month activities in middle school
Middle school students can delve deeper into the history and activism behind Pride Month. Connect LGBTQ+ history to other civil rights movements and encourage students to explore their own identities and values. When thinking about how to celebrate Pride Month with this age group, focus on activities that encourage conversation, empathy, and understanding.
You might say: “As the Civil Rights Movement fought for racial equality, LGBTQ+ activists fought for the right to live freely and safely. Activists organized, protested, and changed laws. But the work continues today.”
You can incorporate these important ideas in middle school:
- How activism began long before Stonewall
- How different experiences have shaped the movement (race, class, gender)
- How pride has evolved from protest to celebration
- How is the work of equality going on today?
One way to help middle school students explore these important ideas is to use viral movements like #IWishMyTeacherKnew, created by Denver teacher Kyle Schwartz. The organization invites students to share what they wish adults understood about their lives, to give voice to their challenges, hopes, and identities.
I Wish My Teacher Knew {Now Your Teacher Knows}
Written by Sarah Plum
Grades: Any
Subjects: Classroom Society, School Counseling
This Pride Month activity provides a supportive space for students to express themselves and foster empathy and inclusion in the classroom. It’s a simple, powerful way to make every student feel seen, heard, and valued.
Encourage advocacy and self-expression in high school
For many high school students, seeing LGBTQ+ identities celebrated in their school community can be life-changing, helping them feel recognized, accepted, and empowered to speak up for themselves and others. If you’re wondering how to celebrate Pride Month with high school students, try incorporating projects or activities that encourage self-reflection, advocacy, and community building in the classroom. To support these conversations and help students process their experiences, consider using resources such as interactive journals.
High school students are ready to analyze the LGBTQ+ movement in greater depth, building both empathy and critical thinking skills. Start with discussion questions like these:
- Whose stories are told in LGBTQ+ history and erased?
- How do race, class, and gender identity create different experiences within the LGBTQ+ community?
- What challenges remain for equity?
You can also shine a light on important figures like Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Barbara Gittings, Larry Kramer, Gilbert Baker, Laverne Cox, and Cleve Jones. Sharing their stories helps students see the many ways people have worked for equality and acceptance.
LGBTQ Support Group Interactive Journal FREEBIE: Grades 7-12 #kindnessnation
He is the Great Teacher
Grades: 7th-12th
Subjects: English Language Arts, All Subjects
This journal provides a safe space for open discussion, reflection, and authentic self-expression. Pride Month activities like journaling can empower high school students to share their voices, explore complex topics, and feel celebrated for who they are. By fostering a supportive environment, you help students stand up for their own and others’ dignity and rights.
How to Celebrate Pride Month: A teacher’s guide to supporting students and creating safe spaces
For teachers, Pride Month is an opportunity to create safe spaces where every student is seen, valued, and safe to express who they are. But what does pride month mean to children? It is a time when many students do not feel included, respected, and celebrated for who they are. By adopting the following strategies, you encourage inclusion and belonging, making your classroom a place where pride can be felt throughout the year.
Use inclusive practices to ensure that every student feels safe and respected
During Pride Month, visible signs of acceptance are more important than ever. Use inclusive language, respect each student’s name and pronouns, and display signs such as safe space stickers or rainbow flags. Stock your classroom library with LGBTQ+ inclusive books and highlight diverse role models. These everyday actions send clear messages of support, letting students know they belong.
Confirming Classroom Posters for LGBTQ+ Pride
Posted by Hello Miss Heidi
Grades: Any
Subjects: Classroom Society, All Subjects, School Psychology
This set includes a safe space poster, teacher talking points, and affirming posters featuring rainbows and skin tones, helping you create a classroom culture where all students feel seen and respected.
Integrate LGBTQ+ voices throughout your curriculum to encourage inclusion
Let Pride Month inspire you to include LGBTQ+ history, books, and donations throughout your curriculum. What Pride Month means to children goes beyond just celebrating – it’s about seeing themselves reflected in what they learn. When you highlight LGBTQ+ figures like Bayard Rustin or Alan Turing, and celebrate LGBTQ+ joys and struggles, students feel seen, valued, and empowered. Consistent representation shows that all identities are important.
Provide specific support to empower LGBTQ+ students
If a student approaches you, thank them, confirm your support, and clarify privacy requirements. Never “out” anyone. Monitor classroom practices that may inadvertently expose identity, and advocate for gender-neutral names or restrooms. Supporting student-led groups is especially impactful during Pride Month and can improve the well-being of all students. A truly inclusive classroom directly supports students by providing effective tools and guidance to teachers.
5 TEACHER TIPS for Finding a Great LGBTQ+ Inclusive Classroom
By: Queer Kid Stuff
Topic: Class Society
This resource provides practical strategies to make your classroom safer and more welcoming for everyone. These tips highlight simple and effective ways to help all students, especially LGBTQ+ youth, feel seen and respected.
Customize Pride Month activities for your class
Remember that promoting an inclusive classroom is an ongoing journey, not just a once-a-year event. If you’re wondering what Pride Month means to kids, think of it as an ongoing invitation to celebrate each student’s identity, every day. By incorporating LGBTQ+ history, stories, and voices into your teaching, you are sending a powerful message to your students: You belong here just as you are. You can find additional LGBTQ+ resources on TPT that can help you create a supportive classroom during Pride Month and throughout the year.
