I hear a lot during the month of June. Many comments and conversations repeat themselves from year
to year. It is a hotly contested month and also a time when many of us encounter individuals who
disagree with the existence or even the necessity of Pride celebrations/demonstrations. First, it is
important to know that Pride began and continues to be a demonstration, a march, and a protest at its
core. It is precisely because of the opposing voices that Pride exists. Various places around the country
organized their own demonstrations following marches in major cities like New York. Not a commercial
advertising opportunity, but a demonstration of a minority of the population that affirmed their
existence and demanding equal rights. So many individuals that were told they were an anomaly, or a
mistake, and they should hide to survive decided to push back. An act of incredible courage as so many
were met, and continue to be met, with hate and violence. Many lost their lives. Those that survived
whether living openly in hiding lost their jobs, their savings, their homes, and their families.
When they organized, they sent a message to the world that this was unacceptable. They organized and
demanded to be acknowledged as a legitimate minority of this population and they have been fighting
ever since for recognition and basic freedoms, from serving openly in the military, to achieving marriage
equality, and anti-discrimination laws protecting them from losing their jobs and homes. By coming out
in public and claiming their identities, they forced our world to reevaluate what our attitudes are for
different people and those organizers helped to change the lives of many of us today. A message we
continue to amplify each and every time a pride event happens.
Working in higher education, we have a responsibility to educate and this is an important part of our
history and our present reality. It was because of the organizing, the work, and the sacrifice of many
queer, trans, gay, and lesbian individuals that came before us that many of us can live our lives openly
today. While not entirely safe, we continue to make strides with that goal in mind.
I hope this message resonates with all. Rights and freedom do not come freely to us. And while it may
be difficult to stand up and fight back when we feel alone, we can bring about change if we come
together.
In Solidarity,
Odalis
Resources:
https://lgbtnetwork.org/
https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/studentaffairs/lgbtq/center/lgbtqcenter.php