| Pride Month: Small Steps We Can All Take Together by Anaïs Tamen, 23rd June 2026
In this solstice season, another light is beaming: a bright rainbow one! Every June since 1970, Pride Month commemorates the 1969 uprising of the queer community of New-York against the violence of police forces upon their bodies and the laws that criminalised their lives. BIPOC trans people who were the most heavily hit by oppression based on class, gender, sexual orientation and race, led this movement. Is Pride still important in 2026? Same-sex relations remain criminalised in around 65 countries, mainly across Africa, Middle East and parts of Asia. In Russia same-sex relations are not criminalised but any positive depiction of LGBTQIA+ identity is banned since 2022, and in 2023 the "international LGBT movement" was declared an extremist organisation, making all public queer activism illegal. A complex community The umbrella term LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and more) encompasses very diverse circumstances and lived experiences.The community also faces challenges from within, such as inequality of representation. The term FLINTA (Female, Lesbian, Intersex, Non-binary, Trans and Agender) emerged some years ago to centre those most marginalised within the community, as White cisgender gay men tend to access greater social privileges. Questions are also being raised about the medical industry's growing financial interest in gender-affirming care and whether profit-driven motives may influence the treatment offered to trans people. The overlap between neurodivergence and queerness is striking: studies suggest that around half of neuro-atypical people (autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, and others) also identify as LGBTQIA+. The term “neuroqueer” emerged in 2015 to name this connection (cf. Dr Nick Walker’s work). Being an ally Checking our bias and practising cultural humility Acknowledging that our own background shapes how we see and guide bodies is an important first step. Exploring our assumptions around gender expression and movement norms matters. This might include reflecting on the language we use (to name body parts, to refer to our students), the bodies we centre in our teaching materials, and whether our spaces feel genuinely welcoming to all. Being honest about our own capacity to hold complexity is equally important. Queer people are statistically more likely to carry a history of their boundaries being ignored or violated (by family, the medical world, or society at large) and to experience multiple, overlapping forms of discrimination (particularly older queer generations, who lived through criminalisation; BIPOC queer people, who navigate racism alongside homophobia and transphobia; and neuroqueer people, whose experience can often be misread or overlooked even within queer spaces). This can make trauma responses in class more likely. Knowing our own edges and limits is part of showing up with integrity. Nurturing a culture of consent in our spaces creates a safer collective base for brave exploration. Music awarenessMusic is a powerful tool in our classes. Celebrating queer musicians and composers is a simple and touching way to honour the community. Some artists hold openly homophobic views, particularly in certain music scenes such as reggae. Being mindful of whom and which lyrics we play matters. Collaborating and getting support Are there queer peers or colleagues you could reach out to, not to have them educate you (that is emotional labour: it is not their responsibility and can be burdensome), but to genuinely co-create and share perspectives? Is there an experienced practitioner with lived experience of queer issues you could seek supervision from? Both could be valuable steps, for your own growth and for the emotional safety of your students. Within the ICMTA We have been following news of LGBTQIA+ accounts being removed from Instagram and other platforms, a reminder of how important it is to build visibility and inclusion within our own spaces, where we can uphold our values free from external constraints. How to update your profile: Log into your ICMTA account. On the top right corner, click on the silhouette and choose "View Profile", then "Edit Profile" (on the top left corner). Add your pronouns, save, and voilà! Quick note for members who haven't updated their profile in the last 2 years: you'll need to upload a photo before saving any changes. So upload your best shot, gain visibility, and drop us a line at info@icmta.com and we will add you to the front page carousel of the ICMTA website. Further Resources Books:
Methodology: The work of Dr. Nick Walker, queer transgender autistic scholar and somatic therapist, who coined the term 'neuroqueer' to name this connection. (many videos on Youtube). Judith Butler’s work on gender as a social construct (many Youtube videos). Movies at the intersection of dance and queerness: Fictions:
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Photo by Michael Kuehn