As a lesbian-owned brand, being 'out', we hope to encourage others to pursue their dreams just as those brave souls put it all on the line (yes, even their very lives) for us to have that privilege today and we continue to the fight. It's time to put all that PRIDE energy into action for the LGBTQIA2S+ community!
Honoring those that came before us:
Pride month (which occurs in the US to commemorate the Stonewall Riots, which occurred at the end of June 1969) is so much more than rainbows or colorful parade floats.
"Marsha P. Johnson was one of the most prominent figures of the gay rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s in New York City. Always sporting a smile, Johnson was an important advocate for homeless LGBTQ+ youth, those effected by H.I.V. and AIDS, and gay and transgender rights."
"Sylvia Rivera was a tireless advocate for those silenced and disregarded by larger movements. Throughout her life, she fought against the exclusion of transgender people, especially transgender people of color, from the larger movement for gay rights."
Trans leaders like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera made this 'Pride month' of resistance possible but the fight for the safety of our communities is unfortunately far from over.
We've collected resources and active petitions and/or initiatives to get you started in learning about some of the history and ongoing challenges and threats to this community. Scroll down to take action and explore more organizations working to help the LGBTQIA+ communities across the globe.
ANTI-LGBTQIA+ HAPPENING NOW:
For anyone that may think the intense anti-LGBTQ+ violence is a thing of the past just because more big companies are Rainbow-washing every June, please understand: LGBTQIA2S+ people are discriminated against in the labour market, schools and in hospitals, mistreated and disowned by their own families. They are singled out for physical attack – beaten, sexually assaulted, tortured and killed.
In fact:
In some 77 countries, discriminatory laws criminalize private, consensual same-sex relationships – exposing individuals to the risk of arrest, prosecution, imprisonment — and in at least 5 countries the death penalty. (UN)
Check out other active ACLU petitions, details on important legislation,
or find your local ACLU organizations HERE.
Flourish Therapy is committed to expanding access to affordable, culturally competent, evidence-based behavioral and mental health services for LGBTQIA+ individuals, couples, and families.
Although located in Utah, they offer in-person and remote options. Flourish Therapy provides individual, couples, family and group counseling for all age groups, including short- and long-term counseling, crisis intervention, parent intervention, and support services with a focus on quality care for LGBTQIA+ clients and their families.
LAVENDER RIGHTS PROJECT:
The Lavender Rights Project elevates the power, autonomy, and leadership of the Black intersex & gender diverse community through intersectional legal and social services. We utilize the law as an organizing principle to affirm our civil rights and self-determination.
They are working to actively disrupt oppressive systems that target Black gender diverse and intersex communities of color and lead to disproportionate levels of poverty, housing disparities, and gender-based violence, especially among Black and Indigenous people.
Support the Lavender Rights Project! DONATE HERE
Point of Pride began as a clothing and apparel company by and for trans folks.
Since 2011, Point 5cc had donated a portion of proceeds of every order to an Annual Transgender Surgery Fund and began one of the first and largest international chest binder donation programs as well as a breast form donation program. Of course, demand for support from the community grew quickly, far outpacing what the small company was able to provide.
In 2016, Point of Pride was founded—an independent non-profit organization with a dedicated team to grow our fundraising efforts, help more members of our community feel affirmed and celebrated, and speak out for the need for inclusive and supportive changes in our society. Since then, Point of Pride has awarded almost half a million dollars in direct financial assistance and donated thousands of gender-affirming garments to trans youth and adults in all 50 states and around the world!
Learn about their programs HERE
The Transgender Law Center (TLC) has grown into the largest trans-specific, trans-led organization in the United States. Our advocacy and precedent-setting litigation victories—in areas including employment, prison conditions, education, immigration, and healthcare—protect and advance the rights of transgender and gender nonconforming people across the country.
Check out the Transgender Law Center's HELP DESK for resources and more information about common legal challenges and questions transgender people encounter.
DID YOU KNOW:
People who identify as LGBTQ+ are particularly vulnerable to human trafficking.
"For these are, unfortunately, the realities facing this community – just as they have long been for people facing discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. And we know that traffickers operate by preying on vulnerable people – stepping in to fill a need they can’t get elsewhere then tricking or coercing their victims into labor or commercial sex."
TAKE ACTION NOW: (Via Freedom United)
Pledge to join the fight for Freedom For Girls:
71% of modern slavery victims are women and girls. With an estimated 40.3 million people victims of modern slavery and human trafficking, that’s a lot of girls around the world who are being exploited for someone else’s benefit, or treated like a commodity, unable to leave because of threats, violence, coercion, and abuse of power.
If we are big and loud enough we can hold governments, businesses and civil society to account and make ending modern slavery a priority. Pledge Here.
TAKE ACTION NOW: (Via Freedom United)
Protect trafficking survivors & sex workers from criminalization:
The Safer Streets for All Act will stop survivors of trafficking and sex workers fromfacing a criminal record simply for walking on the street. It will repeal Section 653.22 of California’s penal code — a harmful law that criminalizes loitering for the intent to engage in prostitution.
In practice it does little more than harm survivors of trafficking and is applied disproportionately against cis and trans women of color, often working in the sex industry: Sign HERE.
For Pride Month and beyond make an effort to support LGBTQIA+ businesses and creators! Continue to listen to and take action in for the community.