Two weeks after 49 people were killed in a gay club in Orlando last year, a bunch of trolls managed to get #HeterosexualPrideDay trending as they demanded a parade and a flag for facing zero oppression ever. Following the election of Donald Trump and Mike Pence, actual Pride is more important than ever.
This year’s event in Los Angeles, however, will look a little different. L.A. Pride has decided to ditch the annual parade in favor of a protest march. The #RESIST March for LGBTQIA and POC Equality is in direct response to “forces gathering in government that intend to take away our hard-won basic human rights.” Organizers are expecting that up to half a million people will peacefully march from Hollywood and Highland to West Hollywood on June 11.
“Instead of a Pride Parade meant to celebrate our past progress, we are going to march to ensure all our futures,” the march states on its website. “Just as we did in 1970’s first LGBTQ+ Pride, we are going to march in unity with those who believe that America’s strength is its diversity. Not just LGBTQ+ people but all Americans and dreamers will be wrapped in the rainbow flag, and our unique, diverse, intersectional voices will come together in one harmonized proclamation.”
Unlike the Women’s March on Washington, Pride has not outlined a specific set of goals or issues. For many people who participate in the annual celebration of queer culture, doing so has always inherently been an act of political resistance.
Related link: New York couples on love, friendship, and the importance of Pride
Credits
Text Hannah Ongley
Image via Flickr Creative Commons