Pride Month is nearly here! Are you ready to show your support for the LGBTQIA+ community? Every year, June rolls around and leaves so many of us wondering how we can go that extra mile to celebrate Pride in a, well, loud and proud kind of way. 

Of course, the obvious go-tos for celebrating are musts–throw a big party, rock rainbow styles in your hair, and create the perfect Pride makeup look.

All of those are amazing ways to show off how much Pride matters to you. 

But if you’re looking for something a little deeper, a little more impactful, and a little more active, these tips are musts for your Pride festivities. 

Remember, celebrating Pride is so much more than donning a few rainbows–it’s about the message behind the month. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again–Pride is historical. It’s a representation of a community that’s dealt with hardship, hate, and trial–and continues to navigate each and every day. 

It’s an incredible, affirming celebration of all that the LGBTQIA+ community has accomplished.

How to Celebrate Pride Month in Your Salon 

Year-Round Attitudes Comes First 

Obviously, we’re BIG fans of getting deep into Pride Month. That’s what June is all about, right? But ultimately, it’s our hope that your Pride flags fly every day of the year, not just every Calendar day in June. To really celebrate Pride and represent the LGBTQIA+ community, it’s crucial to be an ally of that community every day. 

Establish a no-tolerance policy for hate in your salon–be clear about how people are treated and enforce those rules. Foster inclusivity in your workplace, too. Start by walking through every customer and client experience in your salon. Ask yourself blatant questions and answer them honestly. 

Is this a fair and equal space for every person? Is it a safe space?  

If the answer to either of those isn’t a resounding and sure YES, you might have some work to do. And you know what? That’s OK. This Pride Month, make a commitment to doing the dang thing right every day of the year., 

Offer Guest Chairs to Rising LGBTQIA+ Stylists 

Really want to highlight the LGBTQIA+ community? Consider offering up chairs in your salon to rising, promising stylists from the LGBTQIA+ community.

This offers them a chance to work within the salon space, garner experience, and show off their skills. It’s possible you could find the next star of your employee roster in the mix, too! 

Go All Out for Decoration 

You didn’t think we were going to list all these ways to celebrate without mentioning decoration, did you? Listen, even if going all out on decor seems a little more shallow than some of those big, enacting changes, decorating does have its place in making a stand. When you decorate for Pride Month, you’re telling the world, “Hey! This business? We support the LGBTQIA+ community!” 

This makes sure there’s nothing subtle about where your support lies, can open the door for conversation, and even give you an opportunity to invite other allies into your space. So, we say get crazy with the decor–rock it all month long (and maybe even longer). 

Spotlight LBTQIA+ Companies with Your Products

Take a good, long look at the products you’re rocking on your retail shelf and your back bar. Ask yourself–what do these companies stand for? 

If you’re relying on companies with ethics that don’t align with yours–like, perhaps, companies who don’t support Pride Month the same way you do–it might be time to swap out some products for other high-quality, reliable ones. Your products have power–and you have the choice to give your money to those companies whose missions align with yours. 

Do a little research, clean out that product shelf, and find products you love that make sense for your beliefs.  

Host Panels, Chats, & Educational Conversations 

Your salon or shop isn’t just a salon or shop. For centuries, beauty salons and barbershops, and the like have been gathering places to share ideas and form communities. That means your space can be more than just space–it can be that meeting place where so many of these Pride-supporting organizations seek to share ideas. 

You have the opportunity to host panels, chats, and educational conversations about Pride, the LGBTQIA+ community, and more. So, give the gift of your space to these organizations who need places to share their platforms. Be a host, offer help, and be a part of the community you care about!