Share the Mic for Pride Month and Beyond

Each week I get the opportunity to share my thoughts and perspectives through our blog. I feel lucky to have the chance to write about my observances, in the hopes to educate others about the work that we do and the recent happenings in our world. It’s also an opportunity for me to learn more about issues that are impacting the populations we work with and advocate for.

However, this week felt different. As I sat down, with plans to intertwine the Black Lives Matter movement with celebrations for Pride Month, something felt different. As a cisgender, white woman, I didn’t necessarily feel like my “take” on these issues was relevant. During a time when we’re working so hard to promote the voices of marginalized people, who am I to write about perspectives of groups that I’m not a part of? It’s an opportunity to check my privilege.

Instead, I’ll be sharing links to articles that can direct you to the experts. Below, you can find more information about BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color), as well as activists in the LGBTQ+ community. 

“To celebrate Pride Month, we’re spotlighting LGBTQ activists, storytellers, artists, and performers, all of whom were nominated for inclusion by Bustle’s queer readers.”

From Elle: “Activists and changemakers have been fighting the fight for decades, putting in the emotional and intellectual labour to educate the world on issues that are hardly new, and sharing strategies to transform the way we think...learn about the 31 BIPOC activists, who have been calling us to spread the word through inspiring and honest videos, posts, articles, and books.”

We also recommend switching up the entertainment and media you are taking in. Check out shows like Everything’s Gonna to be Okay to see stories of Autistic people who identify as LGBTQ+ (staring actors who are ACTUALLY Autistic!)

And read articles, writing, and books by Autistic LGBTQ+ authors, like this poem from Ra Vashtar.

-Jordann Mason, Community Outreach Director