If our streets could talk, they’d tell us a story about the human experience.
They’d tell about how the streets connected people to places and services; they’d speak of the many social interactions where people met and connected; they’d tell us about the physical activities that have taken place; they’d say it’s a place where people were empowered to confront inequalities; and they’d tell us about people expressing themselves.
The streets hold memories. They‘d also tell us the human experience hasn’t been equal on them either.
If our streets could talk, they’d tell us about the parts that are hard to hear. Like traffic crashes, deaths, and injuries. They’d also tell us about hardships – that connecting to places, social interactions, physical activities, empowerment, and expression wasn’t always fair. The streets would also tell us about violent acts and “safe streets” not feeling safe for many. And this has been especially true for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities. It has also been the truth for our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning, intersex and asexual and/or allies (LGBTQIA+) communities. For example, while BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities are intersectional, a white male cisgender gay man may navigate public spaces with less security than a white male cisgender straight man; however, if the cisgender gay man appears too queer, he is perceived as a threat; however, still having greater safety than our BIPOC friends.
June is PRIDE month and today kicks off three days of virtual festivities starting with Transgender PRIDE Seattle.
Without question, June has been a breathtaking month. Not only were Seattle’s streets emptied by a global pandemic, they were then filled by a civil rights movement ignited by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
We stand in solidarity with our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities.
These communities continue to experience bias and hostility on account of their identities. As we stand in alliance, we’re taking responsibility for identifying and dismantling systemic racism and biases, and for acknowledging our own shortcomings. We’re using our platforms and our influence to help dismantle these disparities, help raise awareness and compassion, and lift our vibrant and varietal communities that make Seattle one of the greatest and diversity-honoring cities in the world.
We’re on a mission to deliver a transportation system that provides safe and affordable access to places and opportunities. The first of our value statements is Equity. We believe transportation must meet the needs of all our communities.
“The LGBTQIA+ community know firsthand the feeling of marginalization, and the importance of compassion and standing together – especially in this time of need. As with other impactful movements, the LGBTQIA+ movement also began with a protest.” – Seattle PRIDE
Today is Trans PRIDE day. We lift up and turn our focus to our Transgender People of Color (Trans POC) friends who have borne the violence of racism, biases, AND transphobia. The injustices experienced by our Trans POC communities are many.
We stand together with our Trans friends to help educate, inform, and be a part of changing our larger community.
Learn more about Trans history starting with the rebellion at the Stonewall Inn in June 1969 that ignited today’s modern LGBTQIA+ rights movement. Here are a few resources:
- Watch this video presented by The ACLU Presents: A Trans History – Time Marches Forward & So Do We
- Dive into the Equality Archive: Transgender Woman at Stonewall
- WelcomingSchools.org shares a 40-minute lesson that highlights four transgender and gender non-conforming women of color who were at Stonewall. These women went on to become an integral part of the LGTQ movement – Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Miss Major and Stormé DeLarverie.
“This year’s PRIDE programming is centered on matters of activism and centering black, brown, and indigenous community voices.” – Seattle PRIDE
- Friday, June 26th, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Saturday, June 27th, noon – midnight
- Sunday, June 28th, noon – 6 p.m.
CLICK HERE to Learn More! | Register: www.TogetherForPride.org.
Cost: FREE
Seattle’s LGBTQIA+ Pride Month is going virtual with three days (June 26-28) of solidarity featuring speakers, performances and activities courtesy of Gender Justice League, PrideFest, and Seattle Pride.
The three organizations, producers of Seattle’s largest Pride Month events – including Seattle Pride Parade, PrideFest at Seattle Center, Trans Pride and Seattle Pride in the Park – have joined forces to bring together elements from their respective events, plus new interactive offerings, in a virtual format at www.TogetherForPride.org.