Happy 2SLGBTQ+ Equality Day everyone!
Today marks the 7-year anniversary of the SCOTUS decision to legalize gay marriage throughout the United States, a surely momentous occasion. We have had marriage equality in all Canadian provinces since 2005, but that doesn’t negate the importance of this day.
Pride month is often discussed as being about tolerance and acceptance of queer people on the individual level. And sure, love IS love and everyone should be accepted for who they are, but Pride is about more than fighting bigotry. Pride began as a commemoration of the Stonewall Riots protesting police brutality. Pride is a fight for systemic equality, because homophobia isn’t just about bigotry. Being queer is still illegal in many places, and our queer siblings face a disproportionate amount of violence, mental illness, and homelessness (to name just a few). Pride is about fighting for these issues more than it is about wearing rainbow.
We need to keep ourselves accountable, and make sure we aren’t just going through the motions of working toward change. Saying that #loveislove isn’t enough. So get involved; donate to charities, volunteer, participate. Get out there and do something.
Check out these resources to get you started:
History of June 26th
Donate to Canadian 2SLGBTQ+ Charities
Get Involved with the Pride Centre of Edmonton
Volunteer with The Trevor Project
Volunteer with YouthLine
Blessed Be
