06/23/2021
Dear Capitol Hill Pride,
Pride is a month to celebrate who we are, acknowledge those who came before, and fight for freedom from social oppression and violence.
As stated so eloquently by the Seattle Human Rights Commission: “Black Trans and q***r peoples are among the most marginalized and persecuted peoples within the LGBTQIA2S+community. They often face shame not only from the cis-heteronormative community, but within the q***r community at large as well.”
That daily reality should have occurred to you and caused a moment of pause before you sent out a thoughtless and harmful email and complaint to the commission.
POCAAN and PNW Black Pride is outraged by the harmful behavior imposed on Taking B(l)ack Pride by the organizers of Capitol Hill Pride. We fully support our sisters and brothers from Taking B(l)ack Pride to celebrate and organize as they see fit. Again, in the words of the commission: “In making the event free for the Black Q***r community, the organizers of this event are extending a courtesy so rarely extended.” An organization such as Taking B(l)ack Pride, working to lift every voice, needs our love and support.
As we reflect on Pride and the Black Lives Matter movement and how the two intersect, it's worth remembering that the LGBTQIA+ civil rights movement owes its very being to demonstrations and protests led by people of color. And it's important to honor and remember that now more than ever.
This type of behavior perpetuates a serious level of danger and harm to Black folks who will be celebrating Pride by drawing the attention of white supremacists and more. We cannot stand for this type of gas lighting that puts us all at greater risk.
We recognize that LGBTQIA+ communities face multiple and intersecting forms of structural oppression, we simply did not think some of this would be coming from an event that PRIDES itself on celebrating PRIDE. We encourage Capitol Hill Pride to honor those truths and narratives.
Sincerely,
Steven R Sawyer, He/Him
Executive Director
POCAAN
Seattle Office: 4437 Rainier Avenue S., Seattle, WA 98118
Renton Office:901 Rainier Ave North, Renton WA 98057
“Promoting Health, Mobilizing Community, and Transforming Lives”
Seattle O: 206.760.5599 | Renton O:206.653.3955
[email protected]
Www.pocaan.org
Www.nwblackpride.org
Pacific Northwest Black Pride Celebration celebrates, inspires, and advances equity for All people.
