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Pride Month is almost here — a time of celebration, resilience and defiance. But this year, the LGBTQ+ community is under siege like never before.
With 575 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in 2025 alone, relentless attacks on transgender rights and the dismantling of DEI initiatives, our community is facing a wave of hostility unseen since the darkest days of the AIDS crisis.
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Yet amid this backlash, there is hope — and it lies with you, the parents, families and allies of LGBTQ+ people.
Why parents are the key to change
The statistics don’t lie. Nearly 1 in 10 U.S. adults now identify as LGBTQ+, with 23 percent of Gen Z and 14 percent of millennials living openly. That means millions of parents are raising LGBTQ+ kids — and their love is transforming hearts and minds in ways activism alone cannot.
If you’re a Realtor, chances are high that you — or someone you know — is or has a child, sibling or loved one who is LGBTQ+. In fact, we estimate that nearly 400,000 real estate professionals are parents to Gen Z or millennial kids, many of whom are part of the LGBTQ+ community. That’s 400,000 potential allies with a deeply personal stake in this fight.
Parents don’t just support LGBTQ+ rights — they fight for them. When you love someone who is LGBTQ+, abstract political debates become real. You see the fear in your child’s eyes when politicians demonize them. You feel the sting of discrimination when your family is treated as lesser, and you refuse to stay silent.
Allies don’t just watch — They act
Pride Month isn’t just for LGBTQ+ people — it’s for you, the allies who stand beside us. This year, as we mark the 25th anniversary of WorldPride and the 50th anniversary of many city Pride events, we need you more than ever.
Here’s how you can make a difference:
- Speak up: A simple “Happy Pride” text or social media post shows your LGBTQ+ clients and colleagues they’re not alone.
- Show up: Attend a local Pride event. Your presence sends a message: “This community is worth celebrating.”
- Stand up: Add pronouns to your email signature. Fly a Pride flag. Small acts of visibility normalize acceptance.
- Step up: Join organizations like PFLAG, The Trevor Project or Free Mom Hugs — because allyship doesn’t end in June.
- Push forward: Support policies that protect LGBTQ+ rights, including the Equality Act and fair housing. The LGBTQ+ homeownership rate is just 53 percent compared to 72.5 percent for non-LGBTQ+ adults. We must do better.
This is your movement, too
The first Pride was a riot — a rebellion against oppression. Today, the fight continues, and parents are on the front lines. When you advocate for your LGBTQ+ child, you’re not just helping them — you’re changing the world.
So this Pride Month, don’t just cheer from the sidelines: Be loud. Be proud. Be unapologetic. Because when parents of LGBTQ+ kids and those who love them lead the charge, the world has no choice but to listen.
Happy Pride — today and every day.
Mary Mancera is the Interim CEO of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance. Connect with Mary on LinkedIn.
