Celebrating Black Lives During Pride

 

Pride is rooted the feeling of self-confidence and self-respect. Pride is the act of celebrating who you are, even in environments where who you are is not celebrated by others. The month of June is a celebration of visibility, dignity, equality, self-affirmation, and community for the LGBTQAI+ community and allies. A global pandemic that forced us all to change the way we connect, accompanied by the resurgence of the fight against injustice and oppression has changed the tone and form in which we celebrate the month of June this year.

However Pride is not canceled. Although we aren’t able to gather for parades and celebrations we must continue to celebrate through its origins: the fight for human dignity, the confrontation of oppressive systems, and the resilience of those who will no longer be ignored.

Two trans women of Color were the central figures for the gay rights movement more than 50 years ago. Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera used their voice to elevate the movement of a community that at the time faced significant oppression. They challenged the status quo, identifying as women when being gender non-conforming was illegal in many U.S. states, by going against the beliefs of a nation that refused to acknowledge their existence. 

As the deaths of and injustices against Black trans women and men continue we must take the time to celebrate the achievements and support strides towards change and inclusion within the Black LGBTQIA+ community. 

NYC Pride is hosting the Black Queer Town Hall from June 19-21st hosted by advocates and entertainers Peppermint and Bob the Drag Queen. Featuring performances, roundtables, and fundraising opportunities to bolster Black queer voices while getting them paid during a time that their main sources of income are limited. They will also host an online rally on June 26th in support of human rights and condemning discrimination along with a long line up of events aimed to celebrate and educate. 

Global Pride will be celebrated virtually with a 24-hour live stream of performances, speeches, and addresses by public figures that reflect and celebrate the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community on June 27th. 

Contribute to the fight for inclusivity within your communities by supporting organizations that work towards change, inclusivity, and the basic human rights of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

All Black lives matter. We continue to highlight Black voices we are learning from over on our social media. We encourage you to support and celebrate them today and every day. Attend their events, listen to their words, educate yourselves, and share within your communities.

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