“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.” - Frederick Douglass
Reflecting on LGBTQ+ Pride and Juneteenth celebrations during June offers a chance to consider the progress and persistent challenges Black and Queer communities have faced over the decades.
Juneteenth, recognized as a federal holiday on June 19, 2021, commemorates the day in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans were freed, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This recognition came amidst a global shutdown, 13 months after George Floyd's murder sparked powerful protests against racial injustice, and six months after the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Similarly, Pride Month, celebrated in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Riots, highlights the progress of the LGBTQ+ community, including the 2015 Supreme Court ruling making same-sex marriage bans unconstitutional. However, in 2023, over 520 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced in state legislatures across the country, reflecting ongoing resistance to equality.
Recently, Republicans have proposed Project 2025. Despite federal protections for queer folk, Black Americans, people of color, and women, we see these protections being gradually eroded by local legislation.
This is why active participation in our communities is crucial. It helps us understand local issues and learn how to support our neighbors and ourselves. Engage in activities and spaces where you feel comfortable, socialize, and learn about yourself and others. This way, we become aware of important issues and learn to advocate for our communities.
The political landscape can be overwhelming, but change starts with one conversation. Engage in meaningful dialogue about race, sexuality, and identity. Educate yourself and others about ongoing struggles. And when you're ready, register to vote and empower yourself to contribute to systemic change. Our collective actions can ensure that the progress we've made is not only celebrated, but preserved, and expanded.
This post will be featured in the upcoming June newsletter for Collaborative InSights.
#PrideMonth #Juneteenth #LGBTQ+ #BlackLivesMatter #CommunityEngagement #SocialJustice #Equality #Vote #CivilRights #DiversityAndInclusion #DEI #Activism #Identity #Intersectionality #HumanRights #SupportLocal #Empowerment #MakeADifference #StayInformed #TogetherWeCan #CelebrateProgress #Advocacy
Counseling Intern
1moOhio better show up and show out! This is frightening.