[Episode 19] Finding Our Power In Pride

In this episode we will be exploring Pride. June is Pride month and I think considering the current goings on in the world that it’s super important to acknowledge our LGBTQIA+ community and particularly the courage of trans women of colour and queer women like Martha P Johnson, Stormé DeLarverie, and Sylvia Rivera

Our history has been built around justice and intersectionality. Being trans, gender diverse and queer is not defined by the colour of our skin our nationality our religion, our social status or physical abilities.

Trans and queer identities have always existed.

When we speak about pride we need to recognise that the trans and queer communities around the world are not a cohesive unit.

Our community is layered with discrimination. There is racism, sexism, transphobia, ableism, and classism amongst all the identity groups.

We need to remember our history and the people whose shoulders we stand on. Our struggles are not over until the struggles of all minority groups are over.

True equality comes when every person is treated with respect, love, compassion and kindness.

We can not sit by and passively take part in a system of oppression.

The biggest LGBTQIA+ rights movement may have stemmed from the Stonewall riots, but I guarantee that these same experiences these folks were having in regards to police brutality were happening in many other countries and continue to happen still.

LGBTQIA+ pride march. People marching wearing rainbows and glorious feathered head dresses.

We are currently making history. What do you want it to look like? Ask yourself if there is anything you can or are able do to help shape positive change?

Connect with folks as many different people as you can. Listen to them and learn about their experiences. Share your own experiences too.

Don’t hide from what’s happening to our community and other communities just because it may not be happening to you.

This means speaking out (if you feel safe to) if you hear someone being racist, transphobic, homophibic, biphobic, ableist, classist or sexist.

Spread the message of acceptance. Share educational articles and videos and highlight the issues that are still very present in the daily lives of many people from the LGBTQIA+ community and share information of peaceful demonstrations through your networks.

You have the power to shape change in both big and small ways. It’s your choice how you want to contribute. The important thing is that we all do our best to contribute.  We can’t stay quiet, we must refuse to be silenced. Our future depends on it.