Let’s celebrate PRIDE! 🏳️🌈
As you know, it's June, so we're celebrating PRIDE! PRIDE is an annual celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and asexual communities. It has roots in the struggle for LGBTQIA+ rights and has evolved into a global movement promoting equality, visibility, and acceptance for all sexual orientations and gender identities.
The origins of PRIDE can be dated back to the Stonewall Riots. The famous bar's patrons fought against a police raid which sparked days of protests. This pivotal event marked a turning point in which the LGBTQIA+ rights movement motivated activists to fight for their rights and visibility.
Transwomen, Marsha P. Johnson was a Black American, and Sylvia Rivera was a Latina American. Both were activists and are considered to have been pivotal to the liberation movement that took place at the beginning of what is known as the modern LGBTQIA+ rights movement. It is important to emphasize that the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights intersects with other marginalized communities. Inclusivity is a vital principle to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their gender expression, must be respected and feel safe.
One of the current challenges facing the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly trans individuals of color, is the persistence of discrimination, violence, and societal erasure. Even though, nonbinary and queer people held dignified and noble positions in their communities historically. Yet that's another conversation for a different day.
Year-to-date there are over 520 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in state legislatures, over 220 bills specifically target transgender and non-binary people, also a record; and a record 70 anti-LGBTQ laws have been enacted so far this year, including:
Laws banning gender-affirming care for transgender youth: 15
Laws requiring or allowing misgendering of transgender students: 7
Laws targeting drag performances: 2
Laws creating a license to discriminate: 3
Laws censoring school curriculum, including books: 4
(Source: Roundup of Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation Advancing In States Across the Country)
Local businesses like Lavender Rights Project and Human Rights Campaign (HRC) are working to disrupt oppressive systems that target Black gender-diverse and intersex communities of color. By standing in solidarity with marginalized communities, we can contribute to creating a world where we can respectfully co-exist and live authentically without fear of discrimination or violence.
Stand with us! We recommend you visit PNW Black Pride, Lavender Rights Project, and the Washington State LGBTQ Commission, to learn more ways to get involved!
Cheers,
Tiana
Movement Snack
We’re at week 2 of our June monthly video series! Let’s continue to open up our side bodies. Check out our video HERE!
