Romance

Celebrate LGBTQ+ Moments Year-Round

lizellyn Romance, Uncategorized

Pride isn’t something that ends on June 30. While June is filled with parades, rainbows, and support, the LGBTQIA+ community deserves support throughout the year. The calendar is filled with powerful moments that deserve attention and respect. Let’s keep the spirit of Pride alive all year long, because being seen, heard, and loved doesn’t stop when the month ends.

Key LGBTQ+ Celebration and Awareness Day Throughout the Year

January

  • January 19–23, 2026 (Mid-January): No Name-Calling Week

February

  • Week after Valentine’s Day: Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week
  • February 22: Chosen Family Day
  • February 26: Anti-Bullying Day

March

  • Bisexual Health Awareness Month
  • National LGBT Health Awareness Month
  • March 1: Zero Discrimination Day
  • March 31: International Transgender Day of Visibility

April

  • April 6: International Asexuality Day
  • April 7–13: National Deaf LGBTQ Awareness Week
  • April 9: Sapphic Visibility Day, Unicorn Day
  • Second Wednesday: International Day of Pink (anti-bullying & anti-homophobia)
  • April 26: Lesbian Visibility Day

May

  • First Sunday: International Family Equality Day
  • May 17: International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia
  • May 17: Agender Pride Day
  • May 24: Pansexual and Panromantic Awareness and Visibility Day

June

  • Pride Month
  • June 5: Aromantic Visibility Day
  • June 16: Neurodiversity Pride Day
  • June 28: Stonewall Day

July

  • July 6: Omnisexual Visibility Day
  • July 14: Nonbinary Awareness Day
  • July 16: International Drag Day

August

  • Transgender History Month
  • August 9: Dyke Week
  • August 10: Gay Uncles Day
  • August 19: Trans Flag Day
  • Last Friday: Wear It Purple Day

September

  • September 23: Bisexuality Day
  • September 26–30: Ally Week

October

  • LGBTQ History Month
  • October 8: International Lesbian Day
  • October 11: National Coming Out Day
  • October 17–24: Genderfluid Visibility Week
  • Third Wednesday: International Pronouns Day
  • Third Thursday: Spirit Day
  • October 26: Intersex Awareness Day
  • Last Week: Asexual Awareness Week (ACE Week)

November

  • Trans Awareness Month
  • November 8: Intersex Day of Remembrance
  • November 13–19: Transgender Awareness Week
  • November 20: Transgender Day of Remembrance
  • November 23: Polyamory Day

December

  • December 8: Pansexual/Panromantic Pride Day
  • December 10: Human Rights Day

sources:

https://gscc.msu.edu/education/observances.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LGBTQ_awareness_periods

https://seattlepride.org/news/2025-lgbtqia-holidays-remembrances

https://www.genderspecialist.com/blog/lgbtq-community-calendar

https://www.prideinsport.com.au/days-of-significance/

https://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/2020-06/Organizing%20Your%20First%20No%20Name-Calling%20Week-%20A%20Comprehensive%20Approach%20.pdf

LGBTQ Community Calendar

Love is Love: Embracing Every Romance Story

lizellyn Romance, Uncategorized , , , ,

What does Love is Love mean to a spicy romance author?

Every story, queer, straight, poly, or undefines, deserves its happy ending.

There aren’t limits on who gets to fall, burn, ache, or belong.

Every kind of love matters on the page.

I write romance because love is love. No exceptions. Just heart.

This spicy author and fierce ally is here for the love, the heat, and the freedom to be unapologetically you.

Let’s celebrate every story, every kiss, every truth.

Proud Ally, writing LGBTQ positive romance

lizellyn Liz Ellyn Books, Romance , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

As an ally, I write stories that honor LGBTQ identities and challenge the stereotypes that silence them.

In Willful Parties by Liz Ellyn

Seth fights his mother’s biphobia with the help of his loving partners, Kat and Dylan.

https://books2read.com/defending-engagement

Intersection of Polyamory and LGBTQ+

lizellyn Romance , , , , , ,

Comparing polyamory to LGBTQ+ identities often happens in discussions about social justice, rights, and visibility, but the comparison can be both helpful and problematic depending on context and intent.

Polyamory and LGBTQ+ identities aren’t the same, but they share common ground. Both challenge societal norms and face stigma for how people love or identify. While LGBTQ+ identities often reflect core aspects of who someone is, and polyamory is more about relationship structure, both deserve respect, visibility, and autonomy. Solidarity matters. The unique histories and struggles of each should be honored.

Polyamory IS NOT Polygamy

lizellyn Romance , , , ,

What’s the difference between Polyamory and Polygamy?

I was recently asked this question. As I write about loving polyamorous relationships in my novels, I want to be explicitly clear:

MY NOVELS CONTAIN ONLY LOVING RELATIONSHIPS. THERE IS NO COERCION OR ABUSE. AND THERE IS ALWAYS A HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

Note:
If a polygamous relationship involves consent, honesty, and equal autonomy among all partners, without fraud, abuse, or coercion, it can share many characteristics with polyamory. In such cases, the main difference becomes primarily legal and cultural rather than relational.