What Individuals with Marginalized Identities Hope You Keep in Mind for Pride

Key Insights:

• Celebrate the achievements of individuals in the LGBTQ+ community.

• Many queer people have other aspects of their identity, which may not be as visible in Pride spaces.

• Pride can be an opportunity to reflect on the experiences of queer people who face additional marginalization due to race, ability, religion, body size, and more.

• According to Gallup's latest study, 5.6% of American adults identify as LGBTQ+, and many of them may also experience marginalization due to other aspects of their identity.

• While June is a time of celebration for many in the LGBTQ+ community, that's not the case for everyone who identifies as queer, so it's important to be aware of how to be welcoming of individuals who may have additional identities that are oppressed.

Intersectional LGBTQ+ Experiences:

• LGBTQ+ people have it better than they used to, but there's still work to be done before they can experience full acceptance.

• A 2013 study found that LGBTQ+ students reported worse symptoms, higher stress, lower self-esteem, and more, suggesting that multiple experiences of marginalization can exacerbate challenges.

• When LGBTQ+ individuals face oppression due to race, ability, religion, immigration status, class, sizeism, or another aspect of their identity, it can make it harder for them to find community during Pride.

An Autistic Gay Writer's Perspective:

• Lara Boyle, an autistic, gay writer based in Brooklyn, talks about the need for more inclusive Pride spaces, as sensory overload and dysphoria can make bars and clubs difficult to enjoy.

• She describes the lack of sober, sensory-friendly events, like book club or coffee shop meet-ups, which would allow her to celebrate all aspects of her identity without feeling excluded.

• Boyle emphasizes the desire for community within the community, where individuals can feel accepted and celebrated for who they are without having to change or hide any part of themselves.

A Black Bisexual Educator's Insights:

• T.J. Tallie, PhD, an Associate Professor and Chair of History and African American Studies at the University of San Antonio, discusses how queerness can compound with other axes of identity to create unique challenges.

• He describes how Black queer individuals face challenges due to racial disparities in the U.S., which are further amplified within queer communities.

• Tallie points out that the default representation of LGBTQIA+ identity often doesn't include people of color, non-disabled people, and non-conventionally beautiful people.

A Racialized Pan Counselor's Experience:

• Émti "Edi" Chavez de Garzalima, MA, LPC, a therapist based in Houston, TX, shares her experiences as a Panamanian woman adopted out of foster care at age 13.

• Chavez de Garzalima has dedicated her career to working with people of color to help them process their experiences of oppression.

• She emphasizes the need for Pride events that make individuals from various backgrounds feel included, accepted, and celebrated, acknowledging the historical oppression that has left many feeling invisible and worthless.

• Chavez de Garzalima encourages people to ask themselves what more they can do to address the oppression that people of color, people in the LGBTQIA+ community, and other groups often face.

A Black Trans Military Veteran's Perspective:

• Van Bailey, MA, EdD, the inaugural director of LGBTQ+ student life at both Agnes Scott College and the University of Georgia, talks about the challenges facing Black trans people, including lack of access to healthcare, competent healthcare providers, safe housing, jobs, and more.

• Bailey describes the problem of trans joblessness, especially among Black trans people, due to lack of workplaces that value their skills and knowledge.

• He emphasizes the need for policies that consider the unique needs of queer military members, including lack of bereavement policies that consider chosen family relationships.

An Older Queer Racialized Filipino-American's Thoughts:

• Renato "Ray" M. Dalisay, PhD, a Professor of Psychology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, expresses gratitude for the progress that has been made in LGBTQ+ rights and visibility.

• He acknowledges the struggles of past generations that have paved the way for current opportunities and privileges.

• Dalisay points out that past struggles can inspire continued progress and drive the work that brings about a more just Pride for all.

A Queer Polyamorous Social Worker's Perspective:

• Jyll Ackerman, MSW, a queer polyamorous social worker, points out the contrast between the high visibility and celebration of LGBTQIA+ folx during Pride and their limited visibility and acceptance throughout the rest of the year.

• He encourages compassion for LGBTQIA+ people, considering their lack of visibility during the other months, and suggests working to create a more welcoming environment in one's community and social media.

• Ackerman suggests examining one's privileges and finding alternative ways of creating intimate relationships and relationships with family of origin, drawing inspiration from the creativity and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community.

A Black Non-Binary's Perspective:

• Kea Thomas, DPSW, LCSW-C, LCSW, EdD, an LGBTQ+ training and research associate at the University of Maryland School of Social Work, emphasizes the potential of Pride events to build community.

• Thomas acknowledges the commercialization of Pride but sees it as an opportunity to support subcultures, like the BDSM community.

• He emphasizes the authenticity of his experiences, explaining that different aspects of his identity, such as his race, gender, and queerness, inform and influence one another, rather than canceling each other out.