Want to volunteer for Pride, but you're not comfortable attending in person events? We've compiled a list of virtual volunteer opportunities you can get involved with.
By Sharon Knolle
If you missed your neighborhood’s Pride parade this year -- or if it’s been canceled because of COVID -- there are still plenty of virtual volunteer opportunities to help LBGTQ+ communities across the country. Consider donating your time and energy to these organizations who are welcoming virtual volunteers.
Support the Latino Equality Alliance and Win Stuff
Buy a raffle ticket for the Purple Lily Awards, which honors leaders who helped create a safer, healthier, more inclusive space for the Latinx LGBTQ+ community in Los Angeles, and you can win major prizes, such as a 43" flat screen Smart TV, football tickets, Magic Mountain passes and gym passes. This virtual awards ceremony will be held on June 24, but raffle winners don’t have to be present to claim a prize. Proceeds from the event will benefit LEA’s LGBTQ+ youth/parent empowerment and wellness programs.
RSVP for general admission or buy raffle tickets here:
RELATED: 12-year-old girl makes rainbow masks for Pride Month and donates proceeds to The Trevor Project
Write Thank-You Letters to Donors
Take part in a letter-writing campaign to thank donors to COLORS LGBTQ+ Youth Counseling Services, which provides free counseling and psychotherapeutic services to LGBTQ+ youth under 25, their partners, and their families in the Greater Los Angeles Area. People can also share personal stories about the impact that mental health services have had in their lives. Join this virtual event on Saturday June 26th at 1pm.
Raise Money for 2021 Virtual Walk for AIDS to Benefit House of Mercy
A virtual 2021 Walk for AIDS will take place Saturday, September 18, 2021. The money raised will benefit House of Mercy. It’s a North Carolina nonprofit that was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1991 to provide housing and medical care for low-income persons living with AIDS. House of Mercy also needs help with administrative duties, many of which can be done remotely, such as HR support, social media and grant writing. Here is their virtual Volunteer Application form.
You can also buy items off House of Mercy’s Amazon wish list.
YEAR-ROUND VOLUNTEERING
Join an Encircle Online Friendship Group
You can join an online friendship circle to provide connection, belonging, and community to LGBTQ+ people who might not have the support they need offline. Encircle’s goal is to offer support and encouragement and help attendees of all ages feel more authentically themselves. For more information about this Utah-based organization, visit here.
Find Auction Items for TIHAN (Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network)
This Tucson Arizona group, which benefits people living with HIV and AIDS, needs help finding items for their charity auction. If you can spend two to five hours a week emailing businesses and individuals -- or doing research on who might be a corporate donor -- email them at VolunteerCoordinator@tihan.org.
Answer Crisis Calls for LGBTQ Youth
Help provide life-saving support to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth with The Trevor Project. They are looking for volunteers to staff their crisis intervention services for LGBTQ+ youth who are struggling with issues such as coming out, identity, depression, and suicide. Digital Crisis Counselors are trained to answer chats or texts 24 hours a day. Volunteers 18 and over are encouraged to apply if you can make a commitment of one three-hour shift/week for at least one year.
Other organizations looking for volunteers:
Equality Time: Contact lawmakers to help the LGBTQ+ community access essential services without fear of harassment or discrimination.
The Federation of LGBTQ+ Asian American, South Asian, Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander Organizations supports the Queer Asian community across the country.
Pride Foundation: Pride Foundation is seeking volunteers, including BIPOC, those living in rural areas, and trans and gender-diverse people in the Pacific Northwest.