LGBTQ+ community resources guide: our favorite people, platforms, and podcasts to connect with this Pride month

Happy Pride Month!

Here at Kiva, inclusivity is our mission—our goal is to ensure that financial inclusion extends to everyone, especially those who face systemic barriers to accessing finance.

As special attention turns to the LGBTQ+ community this month, we hope to do our part to increase visibility, support, and guidance for its members and allies.

As a start, we asked those who participate in Kiva’s LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group to share their favorite resources.

Supportive LGBTQ+ organizations

Whether you’re looking for an organization that can provide the support and community that you’re looking for, or you’re seeking an organization to support in honor of Pride month, this list of Kivan-suggested organizations is a great place to start.

• Out In Tech: Empowering LBGTQ+ people in the tech industry since 2015, this exciting org helps advance careers, grow professional networks, and leverage tech for positive social change. Its multi-platform presence stretches across local chapters around the world as well as on Facebook, Twitter, a packed schedule of online and in-person events, and a 16K-strong Slack channel to unite its 40K+ members.
• GLAAD: Founded in 1985, this granddaddy of gay advocacy continues to rewrite the script for LGBTQ+ acceptance. By sharing stories with pride and stepping in when news outlets get it wrong, GLAAD provides the language and dialogue to move the conversation forward on cultural change. Each year, The GLAAD Media Awards recognize the work of fair and inclusive representation in film, television, and digital media.
• The Trevor Project: From providing immediate crisis intervention to providing resources to educators and allies, the Trevor Project is the largest suicide prevention and mental heath network for LBGT+, queer, and questioning youth. Its legal team maintains a frontline political presence to fight anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.

Read about how Colorful Capital is fighting structural barriers to economic opportunity for LGBTQ+ people.

Advocates to know about

Without incredible activists, the LGBTQ+ rights movement would not be where it is today. Here are some remarkable people who continue the fight for equity.

• Jessica Marjane Duran: The Founder of the Trans Youth Network in Mexico City, Jessica came out as transgender at 15 and has been an outspoken defender of trans rights in her country, where hate crimes and violence proliferate. She is currently working on a collection of poetry.
• Emmett Schelling: As the executive director of the Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT), Emmett fearlessly fights against political efforts to block gender-affirming health care for transgender and nonbinary youth. He was recently named one of the World’s 100 Most Influential People by TIME Magazine.
• Nadine Smith: This former journalist now leads Equality Florida, the largest LBGTQ+ rights organization in the state where it is currently illegal to “say gay.” Working with youth, families, businesses where their rights intersect with the larger cultural issues of gun control, HIV advocacy, and reproductive justice, Nadine is also one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2022.

Related: ‘Pride month is every month here’: How a Kiva loan helped keep Shannon’s inclusive wellness center open to all

Instagram accounts to follow

These LGBTQ+ profiles will fill your feed with educational content, authentic voices, and good news from the LGBTQ+ community.

• Them
• Lgbtq_history
• Lgbtqpod
• Tegan and Sara Foundation
• Walela Nehanda
• Alok Vaid-Menon
• Prentis Hemphill

Podcasts to listen to

Whether soundtracking your morning commute or acting as a companion while you cook, podcasts offer opportunities to learn, laugh, cry, ponder, or anything in between. These podcasts will help you stay proud all year round.

• Lgbtqpod posts weekly interviews with the queer community’s most fascinating people
• QUEERY is hosted by Comedian Cameron Esposito, who invites LGBTQ+ luminaries for insightful conversations
• Finding Our Way highlights Prentis Hemphill’s transformational healing work and is available to purchase in a pay-what-you-can sliding scale

TV & Film to watch

Kivans compiled their favorite LGBTQ+ inclusive television shows and films for your viewing pleasure, this month and beyond.

• Pose: A groundbreaking, gorgeous and fierce drama of NYC’s underground ball culture in the 1980s
• Legendary: HBO presents a reality competition on a whole new level as actual members of the NYC ball scene walk, dance, and vogue their way to a $100K USD prize
• Pariah: This independent film featuring a Black teen coming to terms with her sexual expression, family, and the world at large won awards from Sundance and has been praised by GLAAD and the NAACP
• Mosquita y Mari: Written and directed by activist Aurora Guerrero, this coming-of-age story about two Latina girls in Southeast L.A. is available to stream on Netflix

Have any LGBTQ+ resources you’d like to add? Connect with us on Instagram to share yours with us!