Progressions

Finding Pride in your Voice: How to be an Advocate for Others

June is a very special month for the PRSSA community as members celebrate Pride Month and the diverse voices that strengthen both the Society and the public relations profession.

As the world’s largest public relations student organization, PRSSA is made up of students from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and identities. Each member brings a unique perspective which shapes how stories are told, how relationships are built and how communities are understood. 

Those differences are not obstacles to overcome. They are among our profession’s greatest strengths.

At its core, Pride Month is about recognizing the dignity, value and authenticity of LGBTQ+ individuals. For many, Pride represents the ability to live openly and celebrate identity. It is a reminder of the ongoing work needed to ensure every person feels respected, included and empowered to contribute.

These values are deeply connected to public relations. We must understand others before we can represent them. We must listen before we speak. We must recognize no public is made up of a single perspective. The most impactful campaigns, messages and relationships are often built when communicators draw from a variety of lived experiences and viewpoints. We must recognize that no public is made up of a single perspective, and that we must strive to understand the nuances of the people we communicate with.

For public relations students, this is an important lesson. Someone’s identity, whether it is culture, nationality, family background, gender, sexual orientation, ability, faith or personal journey, can provide valuable insight into how different communities think, feel and connect with the world. Those perspectives can help create more authentic and representative messages.

Pride Month also offers an opportunity to reflect on belonging. Every student deserves to feel their voice matters and has a place within PRSSA and the profession. Creating such environment requires fostering spaces where people feel comfortable sharing their ideas, experiences and perspectives without fear of judgment. When students feel valued, respected and empowered, the profession benefits from more diverse perspectives.

When I first arrived in the U.S. as an international student, it was hard to feel like I belonged. I often had different opinions than others and was scared to voice them. Those early experiences taught me that many people do not intentionally exclude underrepresented groups; they often have just not thought about how to represent them. I once had a class assignment that required U.S. citizenship to access a financial website, which meant I could not complete the assignment as intended. Small details like that can make students feel overlooked, even when exclusion is not intentional.

People who think inclusively and strive to create a space where everyone belongs do not make assumptions based on someone’s appearance, accent or background. As PR students, we must aspire to be a bridge between cultures; a bridge built on empathy, humility and respect.

As PRSSA members continue developing into future communication leaders, Pride Month serves as a reminder that public relations is ultimately about people. By embracing authenticity, celebrating differences and encouraging every member to contribute their unique perspective, we can help build a profession which better reflects and serves the diverse world around it.

Pride is not the belief that one group is better than others. It is the belief no one should have to feel ashamed of who they are.

Because of that, Pride Month is both a celebration and a reminder. It’s a celebration of identity, community and progress, and a reminder of the ongoing work to ensure everyone can belong, be valued and live authentically.