PRIDE MONTH
June marks the celebration of Pride in Canada, a time of the month to honor the history and adversities that LGBTQ individuals have faced, as well as to celebrate the courage and diversity of the LGBTQ community. This year many in the LGBTQ community have choosen to show solidarity by forgoing Pride celebrations to instead protest the injustices faced by the Black people in our community. Many people may not be aware but Pride was started by Marsha P. Johnson, a Black trans woman who of was one of the activists who lead the 1969 Stonewall riots. The protests began in 1969 when the police raided the New York City Stonewall Inn in 1969. Homosexuality was illegal in most states and business could be shut down if employees or patrons were gay. Stonewall Inn was a known refuge for the LGBTQ community back then. After the raid the community decided to push back and protested, with Johnson playing a key role.
“Black Trans Lives Matter”, this phrase has also been in the news quite a bit, highlighting that Black Trans people are often the target of violence and oppression in our society. People are taking notice now, and are speaking out. Black LGBTQ people hold multiple marginalized identities, and we know that chronic experiences of discrimination, threat, and violence can compound over time and lead to poor mental health. LGBTQ individuals tend to have higher rates of mental health struggles, and the number are even higher for BIPOC individuals in the LGBTQ community.
How can you support individual in your life who are part of this community? An important first step is to start educating yourself and learning about current events from reliable sources. Start to familiarize yourself with the history of these marginalized communities, and how their oppression can often be unseen and invisible. Donating to organizations that advocated for Black and LGBTQ individuals can be a concrete step in showing support. If you are not able to donate, sharing information about where to donate is also helpful! Speak up against prejudice when it shows up in your personal and professional life. Having those difficult conversations with your friends and family, sharing what you have learned and encouraging others to also take an introspective look into their own biases. You can also check in on the people in your life who are part of the Black LGBTQ community. Remember to keep healthy boundaries, and do not ask them educate you. They are already overwhelmed and may not be in a space to guide you through the material. Simply asking them how they are doing and if there is anything that they need. Maybe they may need space and that is okay, respect that. This is tough, and you may experience a range of emotions and that is normal. We are all peeling back our blinders and sometimes it can be hard to digest the reality of the situation. Connect with others, and reach out for support so that you are not alone.
