Two weeks ago, we set the path for a new Pride. We prepared for a month of explosive color, celebration, and advocacy, all under quarantine. Essentially, we were ready to celebrate a pride rooted in isolation, and today, that couldn’t be more different.
In just one week, so much has changed, and we’re changing too. The death of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and Ahmaud Arbery—just to name a few—have changed Fluide’s pride month, pride as a whole, and what it means to fight for justice. There is no going back to two weeks ago, in any sense. And we’re ready to fight for a new day of liberation.
As a community, we hold more than an obligation to support the Black Lives Matter movement—it’s survival. The pride movement has always been led by queer women of color. We owe our rights to a group some of the most oppressed people in this country. In fact, the way we protest is defined by these women who came before us. This past week, much of the conversation around rioting has revolved around Marsha P. Johnson, a black trans woman who threw the first brick at the Stonewall Inn, starting the riots that liberated the queer community. We continue the tradition of these riots today—now known as the modern Pride Parade! Her actions, fifty years after the fact, help us understand today why rioting is necessary when the goal is peace.
This does not fall on deaf ears, especially now. We are pleased to announce our partnership this month with the Marsha P. Johnson Institute. This organization was chosen because of our aligned values to eradicate systematic oppression that exists in black, trans communities. This collaboration was ironed out before protests began, and means even more to us now. The MPJI is a non-profit created to elevate, support and nourish the voices of black trans people and protect and defend their human rights.
Our Pride Collection created in collaboration with illustrator Hippy Potter, includes a limited-edition tee shirt, a dazzling rainbow chunky glitter mix, and our best-selling universal gloss. Ten percent of every purchase will be donated to the Marsha P. Johnson Institute. We’ll also be holding conversations with the MPJI, talking to our pride collaborators and artists, and providing links, resources and stories for you to take action as well.
While the collection was originally created to emulate the support and inspiration of Pride month, it now holds even more relevance. “In these unprecedented times, Pride matters more than ever,” Says Creative Director Dev Seldon.
The LGBTQ+ community is historically brave, outspoken and intensely fierce. Now is a time to use inner strength and volume for the benefit of others, a community that so often overlaps with ours. We can’t pretend that active racism doesn’t exist in the queer community, or that as minorities, we get a pass for being willfully ignorant. The time has come to be not only against racism, but aggressively anti-racist.
There are many ways to participate in the Black Lives Matter movement, and we urge you all to follow these steps and your own path towards anti-racism and activism. You can start by contributing to petitions, donating to bail and mutual funds and to the families of victims. Learn about racism as it exists today and as it has existed for hundreds of years. Watch documentaries and movies, read books, and talk to friends about how you can be a better activist or ally. Protest—in just a week, all four of George Lloyd’s killers have been convicted. The FBI is opening a case for Breonna Taylor. The LAPD is defunding their police force by 150 million dollars. More people are educated on race, privilege, and activism than ever. In short, it’s working.Talk to your family members, share resources, help protesters. Follow black artists, black content creators, and black activists. Don’t wait to be educated. We’ve seen foundational change in the queer community since June 26th, 2015. Now, it is our turn to lend our voices to black lives across America.
Master-List of Petitions and Fundraisers
LGBTQ+ Resources
Educational Resources
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CA9G5njBcmB/?igshid=1kqi6lfz8u1it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krfcq5pF8u8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebPoSMULI5U
Tips on protesting
https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-protest-safely-gear-tips/
https://www.neighborhooddefender.org
https://twitter.com/aclu/status/1268588989738618885?s=21
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