Pride Month: Celebrating LGBTQ+ Empowerment and Online Safety 🏳️‍🌈

As we celebrate Pride Month, the Breck Foundation remains dedicated to creating safe and inclusive online spaces, especially for LGBTQ+ youth. With our rallying cry of "Protect, Respect, Connect," we encourage everyone to speak out against cyberbullying, educate themselves and others, support LGBTQ+ voices, and foster empathy and understanding.

Together, we can build a digital world where all individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered to express their true selves without fear or judgment.

Sadly, LGBTQ+ youth face significantly higher rates of cyberbullying compared to their peers. It's a sobering statistic that underscores why we must spread kindness online and stand united against hate speech and harassment. An inclusive internet begins with each of us embodying the spirit of Pride - embracing diversity, dismantling prejudices, and creating safe havens for authentic self-expression.

This month is also an opportune time to prioritise self-care, especially for LGBTQ+ individuals navigating societal pressures. Gaming can offer a therapeutic escape - from the welcoming rural communities of Stardew Valley to self-discovery in titles like Journey and Monument Valley. Even villages in Animal Crossing: New Horizons where players can craft a vibrant island sanctuary free from bias. Engaging in these virtual worlds reminds you that you deserve to inhabit spaces where your identity is celebrated.

As Pride Month draws to a close, we underscore the importance of LGBTQ+ youth staying vigilant about online safety. Guard your privacy closely, trust your instincts if interactions feel uncomfortable, beware of predatory grooming tactics, and report any abuse or harassment immediately. Your well-being is paramount in accessing the internet's empowering potential.

The Breck Foundation stands with the LGBTQ+ community in reclaiming online spaces as domains for connection, learning, and living authentically. Together, we can build a prouder, safer digital future.