PRIDE. It’s a funny word. What kind of pride are we talking about? How do you come together in joy, when our Black brothers and sisters are dying, crying, and screaming out in pain? How do you celebrate Pride Month when the world is falling apart?

Well, you remember that the first Pride wasn’t a party. It wasn’t a celebration. It was a riot. It was a movement started by a Black Trans Woman named Marsha P. Johnson. For three days in June, protestors fought police brutality in Greenwich Village. The next year, a handful of LGBTQ organizations came together for a memorial march from Greenwich Village to Central Park. They were terrified. Original participants called it the First Pride Run because they were moving so fast. When they finally got to the park, there were no rallies or speakers planned. Why? Because they honestly didn’t think they’d make it that far. 

COVID-19 has completely changed our world. The LGBT community is facing increased isolation, increased financial insecurity, and increased illness. I say increased because we were already isolated, financially insecure, and disproportionately impacted by a variety of health problems. We are facing unprecedented challenges right now. But here’s the thing. We know all about challenges. This is not the first health crisis we as a community have faced. This is not the first time we have waded through social unrest. Our identity is born in trials and tribulations. Every day we continue to exist on this earth is an act of defiance. Be proud of that.

Gay Pride began as a radical act. It was a call for justice, a line in the sand where our community stood up and said “Enough is enough, we aren’t taking this anymore.” We did not fight that fight alone. When the Stonewall Riots started on Christopher Street, Black Panthers that were passing by stopped and joined us. They stood with us, side-by-side, facing the police night after night. The same thing is happening now, and we can and will meet the moment. It is our turn to stand next to our Black brothers and sisters, to have their backs as they have had ours before. The best way we can celebrate Pride Month is to support our Black LGBTQ family in any way we can. 

• Call your State Senators and demand they pass HB 426, the Hate Crimes Bill. Then call your State House Rep to request a hearing for HB 626, a bill that would create an excessive force database.
• VOTE ON JUNE 9th for candidates that support racial justice. You can find our endorsements HERE and a criminal justice scorecard HERE.
• Donate to bail funds like The Atlanta Solidarity Fund. Support Black Businesses trying to rebuild by donating to @BuyBlackATL and Metro Atlanta Mutual Aid. 
• If you are able, support a local protest. As an ally, make sure you follow the rules.
• If you are a white ally, it is time for you to speak up. Talk to your family and friends about what is happening. Call them into the movement.

Lastly, don’t forget to reach out. Look up the nearest city’s Pride Committee online. They will be hosting virtual events all over the state during the month of June. Georgia Equality will be hosting a Friday Night Movie Series with OUT on Film. Join us. Hold a small Pride gathering with your chosen family. Find creative ways to express your truth and take up space. We might be isolated but we are not alone. We are here, we are queer, and we aren’t going anywhere. Happy Pride Y’all.