This year the Leonard-Litz LGBTQ+ Foundation was honored to support several community partners as they celebrated Pride Month.
But we know that Pride doesn’t end with June.
The ongoing fight for equality and justice, particularly for Black and Brown, Trans, and Gender-nonconforming people happens in ways big and small every day.
While most corporate diversity and inclusion efforts may dissipate after June, we believe that uniting and empowering the LGBTQ+ community is essential twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.
So we are thrilled to share these pictures and memories from various Pride 2021 celebrations we supported across the Northeast US.
Westchester Pride, hosted The LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center, showcased drag queens and hosted film screenings, in tandem with presentations and discussions around LGBTQ+ legislation, intersectionality, mental health, and peer-support sessions. The political discourse around LGBTQ+ rights has impacted many members of our community negatively, especially our youth, who grapple with fear, anxiety, and depression, which is why it is crucial to infuse Pride with comprehensive learning experiences for everyone.
Fairfield Pride, hosted by Triangle Community Center, featured a lineup of primarily outdoor events that were curated for all ages, such as Pride Parade of Sail, Family Field Day, Youth Silent Disco, Women’s Music Festival, and Drag Bingo.
“Live Pridefully: Love and Resilience within Pandemics,” hosted by Caribbean Equality Project, took the form of a two-night virtual event in commemoration of both Pride Month and Caribbean Heritage Month. Conversations were centered around migrant stories, coming out narratives, visibility, racial and gender justice, and safety. Based in Queens, Caribbean Equality Project is currently the only education-based agency to serve Caribbean American LGBTQ+ people in New York City.
“DC’S Royals: A Celebration of Drag,” hosted by the Washington Blade, showcased a photo- and video-based gallery of drag queens and LGBTQ+ history, as well as a live drag performances. DC boasts some of the richest history in LGBTQ+ activism, and this was a particularly unique way to honor the transformation of LGBTQ+ culture over the past decades. The Washington Blade is the oldest LGBTQ+ publication in the US.
June may be over, but Pride never ends. We encourage our Allies to continue to support our partners to help LGBTQ+ people fulfill their true potential year-round.
by David Arias
Social Media Director