by David Moore
Sr. Director of Programs, NAAAP

June is Pride Month to celebrate the diversity and resilience of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) community. It is also a time to reflect on the challenges and injustices that LGBTQI+ people still face in many parts of the world and to renew our commitment to advancing equality and human rights.

As President Biden said in his 2021 proclamation for Pride Month, "LGBTQ+ rights are human rights." Yet, despite the historic progress made in recent decades, LGBTQI+ people and families still face systemic discrimination and barriers to full participation in our nation's economic and civic life. These disparities and obstacles can be the greatest for transgender people and LGBTQI+ people of color. Today, unrelenting political and legislative attacks at the state level — on LGBTQI+ children and families in particular — threaten the civil rights gains of the last half-century and put LGBTQI+ people at risk. These attacks defy our American values of liberty and dignity, erode our democracy, and threaten basic personal safety. They echo the criminalization that LGBTQI+ people continue to face in some 70 countries around the world.

The federal government has taken historic actions to accelerate the march toward full LGBTQI+ equality, such as signing one of the most comprehensive executive orders in history on LGBTQI+ rights on his first day in office, enabling all qualified Americans – including transgender Americans – to serve their country in uniform, ensuring that LGBTQI+ Americans are leaders at every level of the federal government, and protecting and defending the human rights of Queer persons around the world. But the federal government cannot do it alone. We all have a responsibility to stand up for LGBTQI+ equality and justice, especially during this critical time.

We can start by educating ourselves and others about the issues and challenges that LGBTQI+ people face, such as discrimination in health care, education, housing, employment, and public accommodations; violence and harassment; mental health disparities; conversion therapy; homelessness; and lack of legal recognition and protection. We can also amplify the voices and stories of LGBTQI+ people, especially those who are marginalized or underrepresented, such as transgender people, LGBTQI+ people of color, LGBTQI+ youth, LGBTQI+ elders, LGBTQI+ immigrants and refugees, LGBTQI+ people with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ people living in rural areas or hostile environments.

We can also take action by supporting Queer-friendly organizations, businesses, media outlets, and candidates; by contacting our elected representatives and urging them to pass legislation that protects LGBTQI+ rights, such as the Equality Act; by donating to or volunteering for causes that support LGBTQI+ communities; by attending rallies, marches, vigils, or other events that show solidarity with Queer people; by reporting or intervening in cases of hate crimes or discrimination against LGBTQI+ people; by celebrating the achievements and contributions of LGBTQI+ people in various fields; and by expressing our love and acceptance for our Queer friends, family members, co-workers, neighbors, or strangers.

As we celebrate Pride Month this year, let us remember that we are celebrating not only a community but also a movement. A movement that has fought for decades to secure protections and freedoms for Queer people. A movement that has inspired generations of activists and allies to demand justice and dignity for all and has shown us that love is love and that diversity is strength. A movement that needs our continued support and involvement to achieve its ultimate goal: full equality for every LGBTQI+ person.

As one of the many inspiring quotes from LGBTQI+ leaders says, "The beauty of standing up for your rights is others see you standing and stand up as well." - Cassandra Duffy.

Here is a great resource guide curated by NAAAP Pride National Interim Director, Noelle Blanco, for those wanting to know more and do more. I highly encourage everyone to check it out and take action.

Let us stand up together for LGBTQI+ rights this Pride Month and beyond.