By Paul Rivait, Director, Social Media & Analytics
As Pride 2020 began, America was in a series of riots.
And a lot of people had a lot of feelings about those riots.
But there’s a small, relevant fact we’d be smart to remember:
PRIDE started as a riot.
From Cooper Do-nuts, to Compton’s Cafeteria, to the Stonewall Inn,
The LGBTQ community took to the streets to fight for equality.
People we now remember as heroes,
Like Marsha P. Johnson,
And Zazu Nova,
And Jackie Hormona,
And Silvia Rivera
All used the power of protest to say, “No more.”
No more police brutality.
No more discrimination.
Not more hate.
Sound familiar?
And for the last 50 years, Pride has been a reminder that the fight for equality never stops.
With social-isolation, we’ve been forced more than ever to acknowledge the reality around us. And while COVID-19 may have cancelled this year’s Pride parties, the fight for equality – equality for us all – goes on.
For this year’s Pride, we’ve decided to take the money we would have spent on celebrating the wins of the past and, instead, use it to invest in the groups who are fighting for our future:
Groups that amplify the voices of queer black youth.
Groups supporting the transgender community;
Groups who are marching and fighting and screaming for equality in all communities, everywhere.
We might not be able to celebrate Pride the way we’re used to this summer,
But that doesn’t mean it can’t still be a riot.
Who’s with us?