As the country prepares to mark Pride Month, a local organization is reminding St. Louisans that support and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community goes beyond the 30 days in June.
St. Louis-based PROMO, Missouri’s LGBTQ+ public policy and advocacy organization, calls it an unprecedented time: The recently adjourned Missouri legislative session saw more than 50 anti-LGBTQ+ bills filed in the Missouri House and Senate. They include proposals to discriminate against transgender Missourians, as well as bans on talking about sexual orientation and gender identity in schools and restrictions on health care.
Earlier this year, PROMO organized a peaceful protest on the steps of the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community – the largest gathering of its kind, with more than 700 in attendance expressing their support for transgender rights.
Pride Month, typically held in June, celebrates lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer pride. PROMO is among the groups leading the charge in commemorating the occasion.
“Take this time to be in community and celebrate queer joy whenever possible,” said PROMO spokesperson Robert Fischer. “It’s easy to get lost in the hate and vitriol coming out of the Missouri State Capitol but remember that we are a strong community who will win this war.”
During Pride Month, PROMO is the beneficiary of several charitable givebacks from local businesses in support of the organization’s efforts in the community. They include:
The Fountain on Locust (Midtown St. Louis)
The popular restaurant and dessert destination is launching a month-long fundraising with three special menu items: Born This Way is a boozy float with triple sec, vanilla vodka, Champagne, and vanilla and strawberry ice cream; A Lil’ Fruity is an ice-cream martini with Don Q Coconut liqueur, banana liqueur, pineapple juice and scratch-made rainbow marshmallow; and LesBeHonest has vanilla and strawberry ice cream, orange sherbet and marshmallow sauce topped with whipped cream.
Small Batch Whiskey & Fare (Midtown St. Louis)
Small Batch is partnering with Lifted Spirits Distillery of Kansas City for a Pride Happy Hour, from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, June 5. A menu of five Pride-themed cocktails concocted with Lifted Spirits will be available, alongside complimentary appetizers. Offerings include Let’s Have a Kiki (Lifted Spirits Brilliant Vodka, cranberry, lemon, simple syrup), Shantay You Stay (Lifted Spirits Bold Gin, cava, elderflower, lemon, gold glitter), Vive L’Amour! (Lifted Spirits Bright Gin, acai, framboise, cava, orange slice), The Black Nite (Lifted Spirits Supernova Navy Strength Gin, creme de violet, cassis de noir, orange jasmine seltzer), and Disco Trip (Lifted Spirits Maderia Cask Finished Rye Whiskey topped with Zenly CBD Honey Crisp). A portion of the cocktail sales will benefit PROMO.
Hi-Pointe Drive-In (multiple locations)
During the month of June, a specialty giveback Pride milkshake (Ronnie’s vanilla ice cream, fresh blackberries, whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles) will be available at all Hi-Pointe locations. A portion of the proceeds for every $8 shake sold will be donated to PROMO.
Bijoux Handcrafted Chocolates (Des Peres and Webster Groves)
The chocolatier known for its hand-painted bonbons is releasing two special month-long boxes of chocolates called the Pride Collection. The boxes, available in sets of eight or 12, feature flavors like salted caramel, cheesecake and baklava. A portion of the proceeds from the Pride Collection will be donated to PROMO.
Pizza Head (South City)
The all-vegetarian pizza shop is hosting a one-day fundraiser for PROMO on Monday, June 5, with its Y’all Pepperoni Pizza. The specialty, soy-based pie is a nod to PROMO’s unofficial slogan, “Y’all Means All.” Pizza Head will donate 50% of the proceeds for every specialty pizza sold for dine-in, delivery or pick-up.
There are many other ways to support the LGBTQ+ community in St. Louis through PROMO. For instance, a $12 donation provides one meal for a volunteer representing the organization at the Capitol; $35 provides one care package and shipping for a young adult testifying at the Capitol; and $50 provides one tank of gas for volunteers traveling to and from Jefferson City.
“It’s no longer enough to just say you’re an ally. You can’t just put out a rainbow flag for the month and call it a day,” Fischer said. “You must be willing to join in the fight to defend LGBTQ+ rights in Missouri and expand those protections wherever possible.”
Fischer suggests utilizing Pride celebrations to find LGBTQ+ organizations and groups to support.
“Donate what you can, volunteer when you can, and utilize your voice by voting, calling your elected officials, and speaking truth to power,” he said.
For more information about PROMO, visit the organization’s website.
