Laverne Cox, Lizzo, Frankie Grande, and More Reveal What Pride Means to Them

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By Jacquie Cadorette
As Pride month reaches its final days, RADIO.COM’s Channel Q sat down with some of the proudest in the industry to get their thoughts on what it means to have pride and how to successfully be an ally. 

The video kicks off with Channel Q’s own Shira Lazar, host of Let’s Go There. She talks about how it can be easy to jump right into the bright, colorful, music-filled pride festivities that happen all June long, but it’s important to recognize your place in the mix. 

“Part of recognizing your privilege is knowing when to speak up and when to pass the mic,” Lazar explains. So when it comes time to being a mic-passer, how do you know being your best ally self? 

Rainbow fanny packs ftw! #santamonica #pride

A post shared by Shira Lazar (@shiralazar) on

It’s not just about speaking up for your LGBTQ+ friends – it’s about giving them a chance to speak up for themselves, too. Frankie Grande’s take on pride is all about screaming into the microphone in front of you.

yesterday i biked 111 miles in a rainbow tutu... and i literally couldn’t be prouder. --------‍♂️ 200 miles down in 2 days... 245 to go. #pride #aidslifecycle #gay #gayer #gayest --

A post shared by Frankie James Grande (@frankiejgrande) on

“Pride is about celebrating every aspect of who you are,” Laverne Cox says. Sometimes, understanding every part of who you are is the hardest part, which is why Debra Messing has a much simpler take. “It’s a big smile. It’s exuberant. It’s joyous,” Messing explains.