June is Pride Month. This commemorates the famous Stonewall Riots of June 1969, when thousands of New Yorkers joined together to make their voices heard and spearhead the gay rights movement in the U.S. and around the world.
Typically, Pride Month is celebrated with parades, parties, festivals, and gatherings. Things look very different this year as we are in the midst of a pandemic. We are also in the midst of a national fight for racial justice. So – how can we celebrate?
Firstly, it must be acknowledged that the gay rights movement is very intertwined with the Black Lives Matter movement. The Stonewall Riots were primarily led by Black members of the LGBTQ+ community. For example, Marsha P. Johnson and Miss Major Griffin-Gracy are two powerful Black trans women who had a major part in the Stonewall Riots. This month, we honor and celebrate these women and all of the other amazing activists who have shaped our world.
Secondly, when we fight for Black lives, we fight for ALL Black lives. That means we support, uplift, and protect trans and queer Black folks. The intertwined struggle for liberation runs deep between these two communities – there cannot be liberation for one without liberation for the other.
So this year, many members of the LGBTQ+ community are taking to the streets and joining in the protest for Black lives. There are also many other ways to get involved and celebrate Pride. Here are just a few ideas:
Donate, learn, volunteer:
- National Black Justice Coalition: a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.
- Trans Justice Funding Project: a community-led funding initiative to support grassroots, trans justice groups run by and for trans people.
- LGBTQ+ Freedom Fund: posts bail to secure the safety and liberty of individuals in U.S. jails and immigration facilities.
- Center for Black Equity: connecting members of the Black LGBTQ+ community with information and resources to educate, engage and empower their fight for equity and access.
Participate in events:
Seattle Pride: June 26-28, online, there will be three days of solidarity that will feature many speakers, performers, and activists. Click here to learn more and register for these free events!
Blackout Healing: June 26, Judkins Park & June 27, Jimi Hendrix Park. A healing space for all Black folks! In honor of Pride, they will be centering Black queer and trans healing especially.
Support LGBTQ+ owned businesses in Seattle:
List from seattlepride.org
A La Mode Pies
Broadcast Coffee Roasters
Cafe Flora
City Catering Company
Cone & Steiner
Cortona Cafe
Cupcake Royale
Footprint Wine Tap
Frelard Tamales
Geraldine’s Counter
Honest Biscuits
Honey Bear Bakery
Intrigue Chocolate
Marination 6th & Virginia (SLU/Westlake)
Marjorie
Oddfellows Cafe
Plum Bistro
Poquitos
Super Six (Columbia City)
Taqueria Cantina
Terra Plata
The Tin Table
Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering
Engage with LGBTQ+ Content
Podcasts:
Face to Faces (featuring LGBTQ+ activists this month)
Making Gay History
Hoodrat to Headwrap
Movies:
Disclosure (documentary on trans representation)
The Death & Life of Marsha P. Johnson (documentary)
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Moonlight
Dallas Buyer’s Club
Love, Simon
I am Michael
Boy Erased
Books:
We Are Everywhere: Protest, Power, and Pride in The History of Queer Liberation
The Stonewall Reader
The Color Purple
Juliet Takes a Breath
Queer: A Graphic History
