Pride Is a Protest: 5 Ways to Participate and Advocate

In 1969, a group of LGBTQIA+ people, many of them Black and Brown trans women, fought back against police violence at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. It wasn’t a parade. It was resistance. And although we’ve come a long way since then, the need to fight for equality, safety, and dignity remains just as urgent especially now as homophobia and transphobia is on the rise, and more anti-trans legislation is set to be passed.

At Pure for Men, we believe that true health includes not only the body, but also the freedom to exist fully and authentically. Pride Month is more than a celebration. It’s a call to action. Whether you're with us here in Austin, or elsewhere, here are five meaningful ways to participate in Pride through advocacy, connection, and care.

Photo courtesy of ASHwell Sexual Health + Wellness

1. Show Up Locally

Community change begins close to home. Taking action can mean attending a protest, volunteering your time, or supporting organizations that directly serve our community. Since Pure for Men is headquartered here in Austin, Texas we try to give back our queer neighbors.

One of our local partners ASHwell offers inclusive sexual health and wellness services, specifically for HIV and Hepatitis C treatment and management and is based here in Austin.

Oftentimes when we think of progress, we see it in the larger picture and imagine national change. But the easiest ways to continue the fight is in your own backyard, giving back to your neighbors, and getting involved in helping support the people around you.

So this month, find the time to recognize or volunteer at queer-focused nonprofits in your own community.

2. Support Queer-Owned Businesses and Creators

Protest takes many forms, including how we spend our money. Supporting queer-owned businesses helps sustain entrepreneurs and artists who are often excluded from traditional systems of support.

Pure for Men is a proudly independent, LGBTQIA+ and minority-owned small business based in Austin, Texas. Founded by friends, Pure for Men was born out of a real need for sexual wellness solutions that are clean, natural, and affirming.

What started as a proprietary fiber blend to support no-mess intimacy became a wellness brand rooted in empowerment, confidence, and care from the inside out. We refused to settle for outdated or harmful options and instead developed a vegan, high-fiber formula that worked.

From our bestselling supplements to skincare and beyond, every product is made with intention, high standards, and respect for our bodies and the planet.

As a certified Small Business, Minority-Owned Business, and LGBTQIA+ Business, we’re proud to serve our community and stand for wellness that celebrates who you are—boldly and unapologetically.

To continue to support and uplift our community, this summer we partnered with queer artist and creative force, Adam Blake Dalton, to design our limited edition Stay Ready fiber bottles and pride socks. Dalton is an amazing artist and we’re proud to uplift queer creators.

3. Advocate for Change on a National Level

Even if you can’t attend a march, your voice still matters. LGBTQIA+ rights, especially those of trans youth, are under legislative attack across the country. Staying informed and engaged is essential.

You can start by contacting your representatives. Here in Texas, Equality Texas provides tools to track legislation and send messages to lawmakers. You can also donate to organizations like The Trevor Project, which provides crisis support and suicide prevention resources to LGBTQ+ youth, Lambda Legal, which fights for civil rights in court, and the Transgender Law Center, which supports legal advocacy for the trans community.

Advocacy can also mean using your voice in everyday conversations or sharing information online. Change often begins with small, consistent actions.

4. Take Pride in Your Wellness

Caring for yourself is also a form of protest.

In a world where we can feel easily overwhelmed with the negative onslaught of social media and left anxious about where the next four years will take us, we must remember to care for ourselves.

Wellness comes in many forms, physical, mental, and sexual. In Austin, ASHwell provides free STI testing, HIV prevention, and gender-affirming care. Seeking out therapy and support in friends is also essential. Mental health is a universal struggle, and it’s important to understand that it is a normal experience and it’s essential to reach out to

At Pure for Men, we create products that can help with ease of mind during intimacy or help you unwind after playtime. Check out our products made with the smoothing smell of rosemary and mint, like our Bum and Body Scrub to our mint and clove scented Bum Balm.

It’s important to make time for self-care and to unwind. Prioritizing rest, joy, and mental health is powerful. When we protect our well-being, we strengthen our ability to care for others too.

5. Keep Pride Going Year-Round

Pride is not just for June. The energy, commitment, and love we show during this month should carry forward throughout the year.

Stay engaged by speaking up when you hear harmful language. Make room for queer stories in your bookshelves, playlists, and classrooms.

Ongoing support is how we build real, lasting change.

Pride Is Personal and Powerful

Pride will always be a time for joy and celebration, but it's also a reminder of how far we've come and how far we still need to go. Whether you’re out and proud, figuring it out, or showing up as an ally, there is space for you in this movement.

This month, and every month, take pride in how you show up: for your community, for justice, and for yourself.