Black Lives Matter. Period.

 
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June is traditionally Pride month because of the Stonewall Riots. This June, while Livermore Pride distributes Pride flags across our city, we call to attention that the rainbow is a coalition of humanity bigger than the LGBTQ+ community, and that the LGBTQ+ community intersects with and is composed of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and many other identities in the light of that rainbow.

The Stonewall Riots were not just the birth of the modern LGBTQ+ movement, they rested on the shoulders of the hard work done by Black America throughout the 1960’s. That Queer, Black humanity was at the forefront of Stonewall and the demand for justice, just as they are today, is a fact frequently forgotten in the context of current Queer culture, marriage equality, and life in the post-AIDS Crisis world. The heart of being Queer in America intrinsically beats with the heart of racial justice. The Queer experience has been a struggle for recognition, healthcare, rights, and equity that cannot exist without racial justice. This is not a moment for nuance nor is it a moment for equivocation. Black lives matter. Period. When our country leads with Black Lives Matter, the rising tide of justice carries us all.

Livermore Pride honors and is grateful for the frequently unrecognized racial justice work that has taken place in the United States and the Bay Area. This work allows us to exist and thrive as an organization serving LGBTQ+ communities. We stand with Black Lives Matter, and demand from our city and country a society where racial justice leadership articulates where we go next.

This racial justice reckoning rises up during a uniquely challenging period in our history while also fighting a global pandemic. However, it should be no surprise that these events are taking place concurrently.  Though we are separate physically, we are united by a greater purpose to care for and move forward our communities. 

  1. VOTE. Vote like your life and the lives of your loved ones depend on it. Because it does. Vote this November. Vote in the primaries. Vote in your local elections, not just the Presidential election. VOTE and encourage everyone you know to as well!!

  • In California, the November ballot will include ACA5 to repeal the Affirmative Action ban, ACA6 to grant voting rights to felons on parole, and Schools and Communities First Initiative to reform Prop13. We will need to pass these for lifting up all people of color.


2. Take the Census. Be counted. It’s crucial to our representation and has long and near term effects on our funding and resources. 

3. Make a donation to one of these organizations that are furthering the intersection of LGBTQ and BIPOC rights.

4. Find support from these QBIPOC organizations:

5. Check out these titles for Anti-Racist Literature on focused on QBIPOC (queer black, indigenous, people of color) topics (and buy from a local Black-owned book store if you can!):

  • “Giovanni’s Room” by James Baldwin

  • “Zami: A New Spelling of My Name - A Biomythography” by Audre Lorde

  • “Real Life” by Brandon Taylor

  • “Unapologetic: A Black, Queer, and Feminist Mandate for Radical Movements” by Charlene Carruthers

  • “No Tea, No Shade: New Writings in Black Queer Studies” by E. Patrick Johnson

  • “Since I Laid My Burden Down” by Brontez Purnell

  • “The Other Side of Paradise: A Memoir” by Staceyann Chin

  • “No Ashes In The Fire: Coming of Age Black and Free in America” by Darnell L. Moore

  • “The Summer We Got Free” by Mia McKenzie


If you want to learn more and go deeper on Anti-Racism, Check out the Racial and Social Justice Action List compiled by Amy Law Pannu with the help of the nonprofit community for even more actions. And feel free to add new resources and actions so all may benefit.

Want to show your LIVERMORE PRIDE while supporting a good cause? Purchase one of our Black Lives Matter shirts (with Livermore Pride) and all net proceeds are going to the Marsha P. Johnson Institute! BUY NOW

Livermore Pride