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Pride Month may be intended for all LGBTQ people, but that doesn't mean everyone has access to official celebrations.

Pride events usually occur in major cities, with the bulk of massive marches taking place on the coasts of the U.S. Those who are physically removed from these marches aren't only missing out on loads of glitter, rainbows, drag queens and booze. They're missing out on community -- and, for LGBTQ people, that's essential.

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If you live far away from your state's Pride celebrations, it's easy to feel left out. And even if you're close to events, you may have some hesitation about attending this year's Pride, given recent violence directed toward the LGBTQ community.

The mass shooting at the Pulse night club in Orlando, Florida, has undoubtedly put a cloud over Pride, causing some to refuse to attend.

Credit: LAURA BUCKMAN/AFP/Getty

While coming together to grieve and celebrate resilience is powerful, not everyone will be comfortable congregating in a hyper-queer space in the aftermath of an attack on an LGBTQ "safe space." And with cities pledging to increase police presence at Pride events, that discomfort is compounded for queer people of color, who have long navigated the realities of police brutality along with discrimination.

It's a valid choice to skip the party -- but it doesn't mean your choice to bypass major Pride events prevents you from celebrating at all.

Whether you're far removed from Pride marches or just unsure if you want to go to a massive event given the current climate, here are a few ways to have pride this month no matter what.

1. Set up your own celebration.

Consider painting yourself the colors of the rainbow if you are with an especially adventurous group.Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty

If you're feeling down about not having access to events, chances are your other LGBTQ friends are, too.

Take the initiative to set up a gathering for your immediate community. Invite your queer friends, and tell them to bring their own network of LGBTQ folks in need of celebration. Even if it's just a night in, having a dedicated queer space can make all the difference.

If you don't have an established network of LGBTQ friends, consider setting up an open meet-up for people in your area. This will help others searching for community to find the chance to connect -- and it's a simple way you can make a local impact.

Finally, if you're hesitant to attend a large-scale Pride event, having a small, personal celebration still allows you to get together with your favorite members of the community.

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What's essential to remember is that Pride is really about celebrating self -- and you can do that no matter how big or small the celebration.

2. Connect with LGBTQ youth or elders in your community.

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You might not be the only one in your community feeling isolated this Pride Month. In fact, LGBTQ youth and elders are often ​especially in need of support. If you have a center near you that caters to these vulnerable populations, try looking for opportunities to mentor or volunteer.

Find a local LGBTQ community center here, or check what local support groups your community might already have in place here.

If you're noticing a lack of groups in your community, don't take that as a sign that LGBTQ elders and youth don't exist in your area. They do, though they're underserved -- and maybe you're the person who can help meet their needs.

3. Create your own queer-centered weekend.

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Are you more of a homebody with a do-it-yourself celebration attitude? Create your own low-key Pride to meet your personal need for community.

Crack open a queer-centered book, especially historical queer lit and banned queer lit, which rarely gets the love it deserves. Watch some LGBTQ movies on Netflix with complex depictions of queer characters (here's a great list for movies on girls who like girls, or a general list to get you started). For your playlist, branch out from Tegan and Sara (though you can always reminisce to "Call It Off") and find new queer music to adore.

Connecting with community doesn't always have to be IRL, especially if you're a little shy or have some hesitations about the safety of events. Remember doing small things can be a sort of self-celebration -- and queered self-care.

4. Support organizations that help the community come together.

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Even if access to Pride events isn't universal, access to community is expanding. And that's because of organizations and advocates dedicated to providing spaces where the LGBTQ can come together. 

These organizations are often underfunded and underappreciated, in a society that doesn't understand the importance of LGBTQ people connecting with each other, both during Pride and beyond. But their work helps shift the social climate as well as change some of the isolation the community has grappled with historically.

Look into the work advocates and organizations are doing in your community -- big or small -- and support it. Whether that means volunteering or donating, connecting with community extends far beyond Pride for community advocates doing this work year-round.

If you have a hard time finding people working in your community, national organizations such as the National LGBTQ Task Force, SAGE and the National Center for Transgender Equality do impactful, comprehensive work for the community. Or take up the responsibility to advocate yourself in your community for LGBTQ inclusion, equality and acceptance.

5. Take your activism to the next level.

Credit: Katie Falkenberg/Los Angeles Times /Getty

Pride has its roots in activism. The reason we celebrate in June, after all, is to commemorate the Stonewall Riots. There's something about the atmosphere of a large-scale Pride event that makes you reflect on this, prompting you to think about how far we've come as a community -- and how far we still have to go.

But you don't have to be at a large event to reflect on your own personal activism. Use the rest of the month to think about what you've done for the community lately -- and how your impact could expand. That type of thoughtful celebration and critique helps us move forward as a community looking to connect and care for all LGBTQ people.

Celebrating Pride doesn't necessarily mean covering yourself in rainbow gear and hitting the local LGBTQ bar. It can mean celebrating your ability to be an agent of change for the community -- both local and beyond.

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TopicsLGBTQSocial Good