Pride, Power, & Harm Reduction: A June Check-In

Happy Pride Month!

While there is so much joy to be found in this month— in parades, glitter, dancing and community—we also want to hold space for the full picture. It’s also a time to reflect on Pride Month harm reduction: how we show up, cope, and connect with care.

Because Pride is more than a party. It’s protest. It’s power. And for many LGBTQIA2S+ folks, it’s also… complicated.

Behind the celebration, alcohol and substance use can sometimes show up as a way to cope, to feel safe, to connect, or simply to survive in spaces that haven’t always welcomed us.

This month (and every month 😉), we’re not here to shame or restrict.

We’re here to reclaim.

To reflect.

To choose how we want to show up—consciously, joyfully, and in alignment with our values, needs, and bodies.

Here’s What We’re Exploring This Pride Month

1. Queer nightlife is joy + survival.

You’re allowed to love the dance floor and have boundaries about what you consume there.

2. Your coping isn’t a flaw—it’s adaptive.

You get to ask: What still serves me? What doesn’t?

3. “Drinking less” doesn’t have to mean abstinence.

It can mean:

• Pre-planning your night (MM’s 31 Days of Moderation tools are a great place to start)
• Choosing a lower-ABV or NA option
• Hydrating or checking in mid-event—solo or with a buddy
• Leaving early or staying late for reasons that align with you

Moderation isn’t boring—it’s revolutionary. You can be both mindful and magnetic. Grounded and glittery.

Reflect With Us

This Pride Month, consider:

✨ What helps me feel alive without feeling lost?

✨ What does connection—without the hangover—look like?

✨ What does reclaiming my buzz or boundaries look like?

Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, moderating, or just tuning in more intentionally—you belong here.

📣 We’d love to hear from you:

💌 Hit “comment” and share your thoughts.

🗣️ Or join the conversation on Instagram or Facebook and tell us:

What’s been helping you feel aligned (not just lit) in queer spaces lately?

I’m Madeleine (or Maddie) Zimmerman, LCSW (she, her), therapist at & owner of Kinship Care & Therapy. My practice is rooted in harm reduction & trauma-informed care, supporting clients navigating alcohol/substance use, anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges & LGBTQIA+ affirming care. I have been utilizing a harm reduction approach in my social work ventures for over ten years. I offer virtual therapy across California and Colorado and am open to exploring moderation, abstinence, or finding balance in life.

Image by Victoria from Pixabay