PERIOD Issue V "Embracing Our Existence-Living In A Queer ERA"

....Attn: Just in from the NEW Pride Agenda....

‘PERIOD’

Issue V ORGANIZING

OCTOBER 2024

Newsletter

Embracing Our Existence: LIVING IN A

TABLE OF CONTENTS WORDS FROM BRITTAN HARDGERS VOICES OF THE QUEER ERA IN ACTION: COMMUNITY & ADVOCACY DEAR BALL ROOM ORGANIZING TOOLKIT

W W W . N E W P R I D E A G E N D A . O R G

WORDS FROM THE DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Dear NEW Pride Family, As we turn the page on the last issue of PERIOD, our statewide quarterly organizing newsletter, we stand on the brink of exciting new journeys here at the New Pride Agenda. This transition is not an end but a vibrant new beginning. We're setting our sights on potent initiatives that promise to amplify our voices and fortify our rights.

As we edge closer to the 2024 elections, the role of the queer vote has never been more critical. The alarming number of anti-trans bills being introduced across the country is a stark reminder of what's at stake. Your vote is a tool for resistance and a declaration of your stance. Let's mobilize to make an indelible impact, not just

Our 'NEW Pride in a Queer ERA Campaign' is still in full swing—have you taken the pledge? As we approach a critical moment this November, we urge every New Yorker to vote YES on the New York Equal Rights Amendment, Prop 1. This measure is our safeguard, ensuring that our personal decisions

nationally but in our local elections where the fabric of our rights is often shaped. Register to vote today and remember to flip your ballot in November to vote YES on the Equal Rights Amendment —Prop 1.

remain in our hands, not those of far-removed politicians. This amendment is our shield against the tide of restrictions sweeping across the nation— from healthcare rights to personal freedoms.

This past weekend's National Trans Visibility March was a profound reminder of the strength found in visibility and unity. As we organize, let us be intentional

The escalation of anti-LGBTQ+ incidents statewide underscores the urgency of our advocacy. It's with this pressing need in mind that we announce the founding of our Western NY chapter. This new chapter will serve as a beacon for the LGBTQ+ community from Niagara Falls to Rochester and beyond. We are calling upon you, our community members, to join hands in this endeavor—whether you are a seasoned advocate or a new voice ready to shape change. Together, we will expand our reach and intensify our impact.

Do not forget to join our Statewide Advocacy Coalition Call, held every 3rd Monday of the month.

These sessions are crucial in knitting together our collective efforts and insights, ensuring we move forward unified and informed.

in ensuring that all trans experiences are recognized and amplified. Our strength lies in our diversity, and every voice that rises adds depth to our chorus for change.

As we advance, let’s carry forward the spirit of inclusiveness and resolve that defines us. Your engagement and activism fuel our journey toward a future where every person can live authentically and freely.

In solidarity,

Brittan N. Hardgers

VOICES OF THE

QUEER ERA

CREATING A FUTURE OF EDUCATION AS A HUMAN RIGHT FOR BLACK TGNCNB YOUTH

Being in school as a Black transgender kid absolutely sucks at this moment in history. There are unprecedented legislative, parental, city council, school board, and political attacks on the areas of life that most impact these youth (e.g. gender affirming care, protective school policy, inclusive curriculum, affirming school environments, and more). These attacks are taking place on a national level, throughout New York State, and even here in NYC throughout the boroughs. My experiences with the US education system as a Black transgender student and teacher have taught me that the educational journey is not always meant to be a time of learning, growth, and self-discovery for all types of students. It’s not meant to be effortless and supportive for youth of all backgrounds and identities. Only some. We as leaders, policymakers, community members, and individuals from a variety of backgrounds must continue fighting to make the educational journey one of equity, justice, academic exploration, and safety for its most vulnerable youth, Black transgender youth. According to the Gay, Lesbian, Straight, Education Network’s (GLSENs) 2021 National School climate survey, transgender youth frequently face compounded racist, sexist, transphobic, and homophobic discrimination that leads to poorer mental health outcomes, worse academic performance, physical assault, verbal harassment, sexual assault and harassment, absenteeism/truancy, and higher school dropout rates. These rates are disparately higher among BIPOC transgender youth, especially those who are Black. NYS Department of Labor’s 2023 TGNCNB Report that Governor Kathy Hochul commissioned, shows that educational discrimination and lack of access does not stop at the schoolhouse door. 33.1% of transgender New Yorkers did not graduate high school as opposed to 12.3% of cisgender New Yorkers. Only 19.5% of transgender New Yorkers have attained a college degree as opposed to 35.5% of cisgender New Yorkers, which could explain why, in that same report, the DOL found that the rate of unemployment for transgender New Yorkers is over twice that of cisgender individuals throughout the state. The impacts of educational discrimination for Black transgender youth hold life-long, unfair consequences regarding employment, housing, healthcare, income, lifespan, and future academic attainment. We can make sure these impacts are mitigated and changed over time. I want to call on us as New Yorkers who care about the well-being and future of Black transgender youth, and all transgender youth by extension, to create school environments, provide protective policies, and enhance cultural humility/competency at all levels of education. These reforms will help to combat the racist, homophobic, transphobic, sexist, and unjust curricular, legislative, and policy attacks from self-righteous, bigoted politicians and organizations like Moms of Liberty. Education is a human right, and it must be handled as such when Black and transgender youth are involved.

M I M I S H E L T O N SHE/HER

VOICES OF THE

QUEER ERA

CREATING A FUTURE OF EDUCATION AS A HUMAN RIGHT FOR BLACK TGNCNB YOUTH

1) Create supportive environments for Black trans youth by fostering gender, race, and LGBTQ+ inclusive teaching, hiring, school admission, administration, and curriculum.

2) Implement school training programs for faculty, staff, and admin to develop empathy and understanding toward the unique experiences of Black transgender youth students.

This includes learning about the impact of intersectional discrimination and the importance of affirming identities.

As recommendations, I challenge schools, legislators, administrators, youth, and other educational advocates or stakeholders to:

3) Be aware of the distinct political, legislative, cultural, and medical attacks on transgender girls and women, especially how these attacks lead to disparate murder rates, academic dropouts, poorer health outcomes, and unemployment.

4) Make sports, clubs, and school-wide activities emotionally, physically, and administratively safe for Black transgender youth to participate and express themselves freely without fear of judgment or harm.

5) Integrate BIPOC transgender teachers and administrators equitably and holistically in school boards, schools, and administrative staff. Representation does not only matter in curriculum and teaching. Students are aware of who is welcome in public space based on the role models, or lack thereof, that they are given in which to see themselves.

6) VOTE, VOTE, VOTE this November and beyond in local, state, and national elections to ensure our elected officials are passing policies that can protect the most vulnerable youth in education.

7) Ask your local and state representatives to support the NYS LGBTQIA-inclusive Education System Reform S.351 (Jackson) / A.4375 (O’Donnell) a) Requires school districts and charter schools to include instruction on the political, economic, and social contributions, and lifeways of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual people, in an appropriate place in the curriculum of middle school and high school students. b) The purpose of this bill is to include instruction and adopt instructional materials in schools that accurately portray political, economic, and social contributions, and life ways of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual people. c) Adding a curriculum that includes teaching about the political, economic, and social contributions, and lifeways of these communities provides students opportunities to learn about their journeys, accomplishments, and achievements.

8) Be aware of and support organizations working to promote equity in schools at all levels. One organization currently expanding equity and access for middle- and highschool age youth is Trans formative Schools in NYC. Located inside Heritage of Pride, Trans formative Schools is an afterschool program for TGNCNB youth ages 9-15. The pathway to educational equity for all is long and cannot be paved solely by those voices that are most victimized by it. Rather, we must work individually and collectively to fight for, concretize, and ensure the longevity of these protections.

M I M I S H E L T O N SHE/HER

“IN THE SPACE WHERE BLACK AND QUEER COMMUNITIES TRY TO SHINE, I ALIGNED WITH MY GOALS THAT WILL HELP THE RESOURCE BE A BETTER PLACE THINKING ABOUT THE WAYS THAT IT WOULD BE AND HOW IT WILL BE ABLE TO BE A CHANGE. I AM THE VOICE. I AM THE SOUND. I AM THE OPINION THAT MAKES COUNT. I AM THE GOALS OF WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ACHIEVE FOR FUTURE BLACK QUEER, IN COMMUNITY. “

DESHAWN CHILDRESS HE/HIM ES OF THE C I O V

QUEER ERA

VOICES OF THE

QUEER ERA

THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN ME & MY FORMER SELF LOUIS MASIN HE/THEY

HOW’S IT GOING, MEEKA? FROM THE SENSE OF TRANQUILITY SETTLED INSIDE THE BODY WE BOTH INHABIT; I ASSUME YOU’RE IN A GOOD PLACE ENERGETICALLY. SO AM I. SAY, I WANTED TO TALK TO YOU BECAUSE I REALIZED SOMETHING: I DON’T THINK YOU’RE FAMILIAR WITH MY HISTORY. I KNOW MORE ABOUT YOUR LIFETIME, MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE INNER CHILD RECOVERY WORK WE’RE ALWAYS DIVING INTO. BUT I FIGURED THAT, SINCE IT’S PRIDE MONTH, ME TELLING YOU IS JUST ANOTHER WAY TO PRESERVE MY EXISTENCE AS A GENDERLESS TRANS-MASCULINE PERSON. FOR MUCH OF THE SIX YEARS SINCE YOU AND I SWITCHED PLACES, I’VE BEEN LIVING MY DAILY LIFE AS LOUIS JAVIER. THOUGH MY LIFETIME IS SHORT, MY EXPERIENCES HAVE BEEN VASTLY DIFFERENT FROM YOURS (WHICH YOU’VE HOPED FOR, MEEKA). BUT HERE’S THING: I’VE BEEN STRUGGLING TO ESTABLISH MY IDENTITY—OR AT LEAST THE WAY I IMAGINED IT. AS SOON AS I CAME OUT, I HAD CONSTRUCTED INSIDE MY MIND AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT LIFE IN WHICH I ENCOMPASSED UNADULTERATED JOY. IN THIS WORLD, I EMBODY THE 1930'S AESTHETIC, WEARING SUITS AND CASUAL FASHION POPULARIZED DURING THAT ERA. I OWN A HOUSE IN A MULTI-RACIAL CITY SUBURB ALONGSIDE THE WIFE WHO LOVES ME DEARLY. MY HOME IS OFTEN VISITED BY CLOSE FRIENDS WHOM I’VE SINCE CONSIDERED MY CHOSEN FAMILY. AND THIS HOME HAS AN OFFICE/PRIVATE LIBRARY ILLUMINATED BY NATURAL LIGHT. IT IS IN THIS ROOM IN WHICH I METHODICALLY CRAFT THE FICTION AND NONFICTION WORKS THAT HAS GARNERED ME SUCCESS AS AN AUTHOR. I WORK DURING THE DAY, WITH NOTES SCATTERED HAPHAZARDLY ON MY DESK AS I SIT IN FRONT OF MY LAPTOP. BUT THE MOST CAPTIVATING PART OF THIS WORLD IS MY INTIMATE CONNECTION WITH MY INNER DIVINITY. MY SPIRITUAL STRENGTH IS AS LEGENDARY AS THE CONFIDENCE AND ANCESTRAL POWER I WIELD. AND LASTLY, I AM SEPARATED FROM THE INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMA THAT YOU SUSTAINED, MEEKA. THIS IS THE LIFE I ENVISIONED FOR MYSELF AS LOUIS JAVIER (AND I STILL DO SO, TO BE HONEST).

IN RETROSPECT, IT WAS MY RESPITE FROM THE NOTION OF NOT BEING TRANS ENOUGH BECAUSE I DON’T HAVE ACCESS TO MY DESIRED WARDROBE. HOWEVER, BEING IN THIS WORLD I CREATED WITH MY IMAGINATION PREVENTED ME FROM EMBRACING MY REALITY. PAST INCIDENTS OF COMMUNITY VIOLENCE AND FEARS OF BEING HUMILIATED/DEHUMANIZED IN PUBLIC SPACES ALSO KEPT ME FROM ENGAGING WITH OTHERS. AND AS THE YEARS WENT BY, ROCHESTER AND THE WORLD CHANGED DRAMATICALLY, PASSING ME BY. AND I UNFAIRLY BLAMED YOU FOR PROLONGING THIS VOLUNTARY ISOLATION, MEEKA. IT WAS THE COMBINATION OF OUR ANCESTORS’ ENCOURAGEMENT AND US UNEARTHING AND NAVIGATING THE GROSS INCIDENTS OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE THAT SNAPPED ME OUT OF THIS HABIT. THOUGH NECESSARY AT THE BEGINNING, BEING SEPARATED FROM THE CITY I LIVED IN AND THE PEOPLE LIVING IT NO LONGER MADE ANY SENSE. I RECENTLY CONCLUDED THAT I HAD ENOUGH OF THE VOLUNTARY ISOLATION. PLUS, I FIGURED THAT IF I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO CARVE A HISTORY OUT FOR MYSELF, THEN I MUST BE AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN MY OWN LIFE. SO, IN THE MONTH OF JULY 2024, I BEGAN LEAVING BEHIND THE COMFORT OF MY HOME. ...CONT

VOICES OF THE

QUEER ERA

THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN ME & MY FORMER SELF LOUIS MASIN HE/THEY

FIRST, I FINALLY GATHERED UP THE COURAGE TO ATTEND THE WEEKLY COMMUNITY WRITING GROUP AT WRITERS & BOOKS. THERE, I MET SOME OF THE NICEST PEOPLE. TOWARDS THE END, I ALLOWED MYSELF TO NEARLY GET CAUGHT UP IN A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE SEPARATION OF SCIENCE AND ART. LATER THAT SAME NIGHT, MY HOUSEMATE/BEST FRIEND DIANA* WENT TO THE LITTLE THEATER TO SEE THE WRATH OF KHAN. DIANA CRIED WHEN SPOCK SUCCUMBED TO RADIATION POISONING. I WAS DEVASTATED AND LOW KEY ANGRY BY THE LOSS OF ONE OF MY FAVORITE STAR TREK VILLAINS. THEN ON SUNDAY, DIANA AND I WALKED TO THE ANNUAL PRIDE PICNIC. HONESTLY, I WAS SLIGHTLY ANXIOUS. I REMEMBER GOING TO A POST-PRIDE PARADE EVENT YEARS AGO BEFORE I TRANSITIONED, AND IT WAS FAR FROM WELCOMING. BUT THIS TIME, I FELT SEEN. GATHERED IN A SECTION OF GENESEE VALLEY PARK WAS A COMMUNITY OF NOT JUST WHITE GAYS AND LESBIANS, BUT BIPOC TRANS, QUEER, AND NON-BINARY PEOPLE. I REMEMBER RUNNING INTO OLD FRIENDS AND MAKING NEW ONES. AND DIANA WON A RAFFLE PRIZE. THE DAY ENDED WITH THE TWO OF US GETTING SOAKED BY THE HEAVY YET REFRESHING RAIN. THESE MOMENTS WERE A PART OF MY HISTORY, MEEKA. PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WOVEN INTO MY EVER-EXPANDING TAPESTRY. AND I HAVE YOU AND THE ANCESTORS TO THANK FOR THAT. THANK YOU FOR ENCOURAGING ME TO STEP OUT OF MY OWN WAY AND RECOGNIZE FOR MYSELF WHAT YOU’VE KNOWN ALL ALONG: THAT I’VE ALWAYS HAD A BLESSED LIFE AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN OUT. I JUST HAD TO BE LIVE IN THE HERE AND NOW TO REALIZE IT.

“DON'T LOOK DOWN ON PEOPLE UNLESS YOU WANT TO SEE THEIR SHOES” -LOUIS MASIN

VOICES OF THE

DEAR QUEER KID IF I COULD WALK INTO THE LIFE OF THE TEENAGE QUEER KID THAT I USED TO BE SO VERY LONG AGO THE FIRST THING I WOULD SAY IS: YOU MATTER YOU MATTER TO ME YOU MATTER TO MANY YOUR LIFE IS A GIFT THAT PAINTS THIS WORLD WITH COLOR AND COMPASSION DON'T QUIET YOUR VOICE FOR FEAR OF REJECTION THERE ARE THOSE WHO NEED TO HEAR ALL THAT YOU HAVE TO SAY DON'T HIDE THOSE PARTS OF YOURSELF THAT OTHERS SEE AS DIFFERENT THEY ARE THE VERY PARTS THAT MAKE YOU EXCEPTIONAL AND WHEN ADULTS TELL YOU TO BE QUIET BECAUSE YOU HAVE NOTHING IMPORTANT TO SAY STAND UP SPEAK YOUR TRUTH YOU ARE IMPORTANT VALUABLE AND LOVABLE AND ONE DAY WHEN YOU ARE OLD LIKE ME YOU CAN TELL A QUEER KID THESE THINGS YOU WISH SOMEONE HAD TOLD TO YOU. WOLFGANG NYLAND 2024

By: Wolfgang Nyland He/Him

QUEER ERA

VOICES OF THE

QUEER ERA

E M B R A C E y, shape a w a s u k They whis ings, and e b w e n o us int scue us. e r y e h t , y ll occasiona ze that li a e r o t e I've com , y us, for us b n u p s s tale f cial kind o e p s a s s e poss magic élina de la —Marie-Ad he/Her S e r iè r r e F

Marie-Adélina de la Ferrière is the Community Editor at equalpride, publisher of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, Plus, and Pride.com. A first-generation HaitianAmerican trans woman with a robust history of independent work as a communications and social media expert, she has tirelessly championed LGBTQ+ artists and performers, creating a vibrant community engagement approach that infuses each project with a dynamic and innovative perspective. Like and follow her on social: @ageofadelina.

VOICES OF THE

QUEER ERA

E M B R A C E Growing up, I was often the girl with her nose buried in a book or lost in the glow of the television screen, seeking solace in the lives of characters who felt as out of place as I did. In fact, it was through the transported realms of Masterpiece Theater dramas that helped me overcome my debilitating stutter.

But the stories I truly yearned for could have been more abundant.

I wonder how my life would have evolved if I read of fierce Black queer and trans folks who loved, fought, and flourished despite the world’s attempts to silence them. It wasn’t until later in life that I discovered the profound impact of queer storytelling. You see, queer stories are not just about representation—they’re about affirmation. They tell us that our experiences are valid, Our identities are beautiful, and our lives are worth living.

From Laverne Cox’s iconic role in Orange is the New Black to the phenomenal cast of Pose—an honorary mention to Candis Cayne’s character in Dirty Sexy Money—seeing characters on screen who looked like how I felt inside was like inhaling a breath of fresh air.

I felt seen in a way I hadn’t before, and it was transformative.

Queer storytelling is a mirror reflecting our most authentic selves. It’s a way to reclaim our narratives from a world that often seeks to erase us. Through stories, we carve out spaces where we can exist unapologetically, where our identities are not just tolerated but celebrated.

It’s in these books, shows, and films that we find our community, our history, and our future.

But beyond the personal affirmation, queer storytelling also serves as a bridge to understanding.

It opens doors for those who may not share our experiences but are willing to listen. Despite having a trans relative in my family (RIP Auntie Bernadine Kiki Casseus, it was the power of storytelling with shows like Pose that invited my family members to walk in our shoes, even if just for a moment and see the world through our eyes.

When we share our stories, we challenge stereotypes, dismantle prejudices, and

foster empathy. We remind the world that we are here, we are human, and we are worthy of love and respect.

Queer storytelling is a radical act of survival. There’s no coincidence that the decline in queer storytelling has seen a rise in anti-trans conversations and rhetoric. Our stories testify to our existence in a world that often tells us we don’t belong. We defy the forces that seek to silence us whenever we tell our stories.

We claim our right to be heard, to be seen, and to be celebrated.

As a Black trans woman, I know that our stories are not always easy to tell. They come with a weight of pain and struggle that can be overwhelming. But they are also filled with joy, love, and hope. They are stories of resilience, resistance, and triumph. And they are stories that need to be told.

So, let’s keep telling our stories.Let’s write, film, and share our narratives with the world.

Because in doing so, we not only affirm our own existence but also create a world where future generations of queer people can see themselves reflected in the magic of storytelling.

And that, my friends, is the most powerful magic of all.

"They whisk us away, shape us into new beings, and occasionally, they rescue us. I've come to realize that tales spun by us, for us, possess a special kind of magic” —Marie-Adélina de la Ferrière She/Her-

Condemning the Senseless Killing of Guyanese Transgender Community Member Shawn Simon

VOICES OF THE

QUEER ERA

VOICES OF THE

QUEER ERA

PHOTOGRAPHER: JAY VALENTINE

ADVERSE TO MAINSTREAM I SCREAM IN WEARIED PROTEST AGAINST ALL REST A LIFE OF VARIANCE NEFARIOUS CRIMINAL BY MINORITY WICKED INFERIORITY MY REBELLIOUSNESS MY CROWN KICKED ALL OVER THE GROUND I PICK IT UP WITH PRIDE IN REFUSAL TO HIDE THEY MURDER ME IN THE TWEETS AND CRUSH MY BODY IN THE STREETS EVERYONE’S IMMUNE THEY’VE ALREADY HEARD THIS TUNE I AM NOBODY TO THE MASSES THE LOWEST OF THE CLASSES I’M TRYIN NOT TO HATE AS I WAIT FOR HISTORY TO FIND ME ON A SAFER SHORE.

WOLFGANG NYLAND IN MEMORY OF O’SHAE SIBLEY 29 JULY 2023

THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

New Pride In A

QUEER ERA TIMELINE Highlighting NYS & Major ERA’s Across The United States

By Jaszi Johnathan Alejandro

In your hiSTORY… How you would tell it… On your timeline…

Which time periods do you cover & which exact years would you choose to capture? What historical moments have you lived through? Who were you back then? What things have you witnessed with your own 2 eyes? Who have you left behind and why do they still come to mind? When was it that you realized who you’ve become? What have you left to get done?

How many obstacles have you overcome to be where you are today?

What kinds of changes would you still like to make? Where are you going?.... & why?

There have been countless moments throughout our history where one person made one choice, one move, on one day– that changed the course for everything to go a different way.

Let's embark on a quest and travel through time, from the progressive era to the modern era to the queer era and beyond, to see what we learn, to see what we find…. So let's pay homage to those that came before us, those that moved mountains for us to walk the cleared paths we walk today.

1840 1920

THIS MOVEMENT FOUGHT FOR AND SUCCEEDED IN GRANTING WOMEN THE LEGAL RIGHT TO VOTE. IT BEGAN WITH GRASSROOTS ACTIVISM IN THE MID-19TH CENTURY AND CULMINATED WITH THE PASSING OF THE 19TH AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION IN 1920. THE MOVEMENT INCLUDED A VARIETY OF STRATEGIES FROM LOBBYING AND PROTEST TO CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE.

1890 1915

1914 1945

EARLY 20TH-CENTURY VIEWS ON HOMOSEXUALITY OFTEN ASSOCIATED IT WITH GENDER INVERSION THEORY, WHERE GAY MEN WERE SEEN AS HAVING FEMININE TRAITS. THE TERM "FAIRY" WAS USED TO DESCRIBE SUCH INDIVIDUALS, HIGHLIGHTING THE PERIOD'S RUDIMENTARY UNDERSTANDING OF GENDER AND SEXUALITY.

CONCEPTION OF GAY IDENTITY

THIS PERIOD COVERS BOTH WORLD WAR I AND WORLD WAR II, WHERE GLOBAL CONFLICTS RESHAPED ECONOMIES, BORDERS, AND SOCIETIES. THE INTERWAR PERIOD, PARTICULARLY THE 1920S AND 1930S, WAS MARKED BY SIGNIFICANT SOCIAL, POLITICAL, AND CULTURAL SHIFTS, INCLUDING THE GREAT DEPRESSION.

WORLD WARS AND INTERWAR PERIOD

1954 1968

A PIVOTAL MOVEMENT AIMED AT ENDING RACIAL SEGREGATION AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST AFRICAN AMERICANS, IT EMPLOYED STRATEGIES OF NONVIOLENT PROTEST AND CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE. KEY EVENTS INCLUDED THE MONTGOMERY BUS BOYCOTT, THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON, AND THE PASSAGE OF CIVIL RIGHTS LEGISLATION IN 1964 AND 1965.

CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT

1969

MARKING A MAJOR TURNING POINT IN THE MODERN LGBTQ+ RIGHTS MOVEMENT, THE STONEWALL RIOTS WERE A SERIES OF SPONTANEOUS DEMONSTRATIONS BY MEMBERS OF THE GAY COMMUNITY IN RESPONSE TO A POLICE RAID AT THE STONEWALL INN IN NEW YORK CITY. THESE RIOTS SPURRED THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORE ORGANIZED ADVOCACY FOR LGBTQ+ RIGHTS.

STONEWALL RIOTS

1970 PRESENT

1970 PRESENT

2000 PRESENT

INITIATED BY PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON IN 1971, THIS CONTROVERSIAL POLICY AIMED AT REDUCING ILLEGAL DRUG TRADE USES MEASURES SUCH AS INCREASED POLICING AND HARSHER SENTENCES FOR DRUG OFFENSES. IT HAS BEEN CRITICIZED FOR ITS EFFECTIVENESS AND IMPACT ON COMMUNITIES, PARTICULARLY THOSE OF COLOR.

THE WAR ON DRUGS

EMERGING FROM THE STONEWALL RIOTS, THE PRIDE MOVEMENT CELEBRATES LGBTQ+ IDENTITIES AND PUSHES FOR LEGAL AND SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE. OVER THE DECADES, IT HAS EXPANDED GLOBALLY AND INCLUDES A BROAD ADVOCACY FOR RIGHTS RELATED TO HEALTH, WORK, FAMILY, AND ANTI-DISCRIMINATION.

LGBTQ+ PRIDE AND CULTURAL SHIFTS

THIS PERIOD HAS SEEN SIGNIFICANT ADVANCEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY, COMMUNICATION, AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE, INFLUENCING ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE INCLUDING POLITICS, CULTURE, AND SOCIAL MOVEMENTS. KEY EVENTS INCLUDE THE RISE OF SOCIAL MEDIA, GLOBAL ACTIVISM, AND ONGOING DEBATES OVER PRIVACY, SECURITY, AND THE ROLE OF DIGITAL PLATFORMS IN PUBLIC DISCOURSE.

MODERN ERA

QUEER ERA TIMELINE

WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT

ARE

YOU READY? RECAP

PHOTOGRAPHER: JAY VALENTINE

PHOTOGRAPHER: JAY VALENTINE

VOICES OF THE

A R E R E E QU

Dear Ballroom, I hope this letter finds you all in high spirits and ready to conquer the runway in every category – whether it's face, runway, performance or bizarre! As a proud ballroom house mother, I write to you with love and urgency about something that affects us all: this year's election.

As we prepare for another exciting season of struts, poses, and breathtaking moments, there's something equally important on our agenda: using our voices through the power of voting.

Now, why is this election so crucial? It's about our future, darlings. Each one of us, from the most ovah faces to the most graceful strutters, plays a vital role in shaping the world we live in. And guess what? You are the future trailblazers and trendsetters of our community!

To all the fabulous mothers and fathers in the ballroom community, let's gather our young legends, statements and stars to explain why voting matters. It's not just about choosing a winner; it's about standing up for what we believe in, making a mark, and ensuring our voices are heard.

Kids, are you ready to walk that runway of democracy? It's your moment to shine! Just as you perfect your poses and captivate the audience with your charisma and style, voting allows you to be part of something extraordinary – a community that deeply cares about our shared future.

Let's make it fabulous! Picture each vote as a flawless 10's across the board moment. Together, we can create a stunning tableau that reflects our hopes and dreams. So, put on your best effect (and maybe grab your House parent's hand), and let's work our way to the polling station.

Remember, the future is ours to shape, and with every vote cast, we're designing a world where everyone can shine in their own unique way.

With all my love and anticipation for what's ahead,

Mother Jocelyn Milan

#VoteForEquity #Prop1 #QueerERA

Have you heard about Prop 1, the NYS Equal Rights Amendment?

What is Prop 1?

A Statewide Ballot Measure to amend the NYS Constitution. It will appear on the back of New Yorker’s ballots for the General Election in November, 2024.

What is a ballot measure?

A ballot measure is a law, issue, or question that appears on a statewide or local ballot for voters of that jurisdiction to decide.

What will Prop 1 do?

Prop 1 will close loopholes in the state constitution to further protect abortion, LGBTQ+ rights and more. The current NYS Constitution only prohibits discrimination on the basis of race & religion.

Here is the exact language of Prop 1: “This proposal would protect against unequal treatment based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity and pregnancy. It also protects against unequal treatment based on reproductive healthcare and autonomy.”

A “YES” vote puts these protections in the New York State Constitution.

A “NO” vote leaves these protections out of the State Constitution.

#VoteForEquity #Prop1 #QueerERA

Have you heard about Prop 1, the NYS Equal Rights Amendment? (Cont) Don’t we already have protections against discrimination for LGBTQ+ people in New York?

Yes, by statue, New York’s Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and more.

Why do we need Prop 1?

Since the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, 22 states have implemented abortion bans.

Notwithstanding, 25 states have banned gender-affirming care for trans youth. New York is not one of these states. However, we know that our reality can change at any moment. Leadership in Albany can change. Laws can be overturned. We have seen the anti-trans movement gain ground in places like Nassau County, with the recent anti-trans sports ban in county-run facilities.

We must guarantee our rights and protections - enshrining them into the state constitution is one way to do that.

#VoteForEquity #Prop1 #QueerERA

Take the Queer ERA Pledge

#VoteForEquity #Prop1 #QueerERA

PROPOSITION 1 OPPONENTS’ RHETORIC MISINFORMING VOTERS

Opponents of Proposition 1, the state’s Equal Rights Amendment up for a vote this November, sound like a broken record of misinformation. The latest display of harmful rhetoric was in the commentary “Proposal 1 on N.Y. ballot based on a lie,” Sept. 9, in which the writer repeats baseless claims that Prop 1 will threaten parental authority over trans youth as it relates to gender-affirming medical care.

Such assertions deflect our attention from what’s really at stake this election season: protecting our democracy and making sure that decisions about our bodies are not decided for us by politicians. New Yorkers have an opportunity to vote in favor of amending the state constitution by prohibiting discrimination based on national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and pregnancy status, the last of which is crucial for bodily autonomy in the wake of the Dobbs decision.

The fear-mongering obsession with trans youth and surgeries mischaracterizes gender-affirming care as extreme, ignoring the lifesaving aspect supported by every major medical association in the United States. Furthermore, minors cannot receive gender-affirming surgeries in New York without the consent of their parents or legal guardian.

Anti-trans talking heads claim their rallying cries protect children.

Instead, the hateful rhetoric exacerbates disproportionate rates of violence and mental health challenges LGBTQ youth face. Prop 1 would alleviate these inequities and ensure that those of us who have historically been on the receiving end of discrimination will be protected.

To truly protect all New Yorkers’ rights, the choice is clear: vote yes on Prop 1.

Elisa Crespo, NYC Executive Director NEW Pride Agenda Published Sept. 24, 2024

More Information Here:

bit.ly/Mobilize4Prop1

FLIP YOUR BALLOT! Ballot initiatives like Prop-1 are on the back of the ballot. Don't forget to flip it over and make your voice count by voting “YES” on Prop-1.

VOTER TOOL KIT

PREPARING FOR THE 2024 ELECTION

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), or Prop-1 is a crucial ballot PLAN AHEAD initiative aimed at strengthening legal protections for LGBTQ+ New 1. Register to Vote or Check Your Voter Registration Status.

Yorkers. This amendment will ensure that discrimination based 2. Learn when is Early Voting and when is Election on sex, which includes sexual Day orientation and gender identity, is 3. Find Your Poll Site expressly prohibited under New 4. Make a Plan to Vote with Friends or Family York’s Constitution. Voting "YES" 5. Flip the ballot for Statewide Ballot Measure Prop 1! on Prop-1 provides an opportunity to establish lasting IMPORTANT DATE REMINDER: protections and promote equity for our community, ensuring that October 15, 2024: Launch of the NYS Queer Voting these rights are safeguarded for Guide (NPA resource). generations to come. This is not October 26, 2024: Voter Registration Deadline (online, just a vote for equality; it is a vote by mail postmarked by this date, or in-person). for justice and for the recognition October 26, 2024: First Day of Early Voting. of our full humanity, affirming the November 3, 2024: Last Day of Early Voting. dignity and worth of every November 4, 2024: - Last Day to Request mail ballot individual. in-person.

VOTE YES!

November 5, 2024: Election Day. Last Day to submit mail ballot.

STATEWIDE EVENTS

STATEWIDE EVENTS

OCTOBER

OCTOBER

STATEWIDE EVENTS We launched our campaign to end homophobia and transphobia in the child welfare system in NYC. Have support of Sen Brisport, Sen Hoylman Sigal, AM Gonzalez Rojas, AM Raga, CM Stevens, CM Osse, CM Hudson, CM Aviles, CM Bottcher and dozens of state wide youth service organizations.

We are starting the process of introducing legislation in partnership with Legal Aid and Lambda Legal. We started the NYC Trans and Queer Provider Advocacy Coalition

OCTOBER

STATEWIDE EVENTS

In April 2024, the Youth Advocacy Fellowship (YAF) members of the New York Transgender Advocacy Group (NYTAG) actively engaged in significant efforts to promote key legislative issues and support ongoing advocacy movements.

Youth Advocacy Fellowship members set up an information table in the Empire State Plaza Building, strategically positioned at the glass doors leading to the entrance of the Legislative Office Building. This location ensured high visibility and engagement with the public. The members took turns tabling and attending the GIRDS (Gender Identity, Rights, and Dignity Summit) event hosted by New Pride Agenda and the Trans Prisoners Rights of NY Coalition. At the table, they informed the public about NYTAG’s top three legislations: The Stop The Violence in the Sex Trades Bill S.4396 (Salazar) Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Medical Initiatives S.3297 (Hoylman-Sigal) & S.3227 (Hoylman-Sigal) LGBTQIA-inclusive Education System Reform A.4375 (O’Donnell) / S.351 (Jackson) Youth Advocacy Fellowship members also promoted GIRDS after their instructor Yanery Cruz informed them of the legislation and its importance to the TGNCNB community. They highlighted that 1 in every 6 people who identify as transgender report having been incarcerated at some point in their lifetime, and 1 in every 2 black transgender women report having been incarcerated at some point in their lifetime.

NYTAG Youth Advocacy Fellowship also attended 'Youth Lobby Day' hosted by Planned Parenthood of Greater New York. In collaboration with the youth from Planned Parenthood of Greater New York’s Action Fund’s Youth Lobby, they met with legislative directors to advocate for the passage of A.4375 (O'Donnell) / S.351 (Jackson). This bill requires school districts and charter schools to establish a task force to make recommendations on model curriculum or instruction on the political, economic, and social contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual people. Youth Advocacy Fellowship members shared their lived experiences within schools, emphasizing the lack of education regarding the contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community and the critical need for inclusive curriculum reform.

The experience provided Youth Advocacy Fellowship members with valuable insights into the legislative process and the importance of direct advocacy. It reinforced the necessity of persistent efforts to achieve policy changes that support the LGBTQIA+ community. NYTAG has multiple Youth Advocacy Fellowship cycles per year, allowing TGNCNB youth to step into their leadership roles and learn about advocacy. These cycles are crucial in developing the next generation of advocates and ensuring continuous efforts towards legislative and social change. If you are a TGNCNB community member who's interested in advocacy between the ages of 16 and 25 years of age, apply with the link below (completion of program compensates $450.00). https://forms.gle/Fo3AA3sXyzhszfXZ9

OCTOBER

STATEWIDE EVENTS

STATEWIDE EVENTS

Mimi Shelton

Chase life with what you have: A love note to Black trans community members For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a curious, naturally disagreeable, and truth-seeking woman with a strong sense of justice and fairness. Because I was Black, socialized and miseducated as a boy, and from a working class family in Louisa County, Virginia these academic, social, and personal qualities were not nourished. Instead, I was constantly made to doubt myself, considered a dramatic tattletale, treated like a “sissy” instead of a young woman, called mouthy and disrespectful, and put in “my place.” I had a naturally ambitious spirit and always spoke up for myself, so I was able to combat a lot of the unfairness life put in my path to make it out of my small hometown, into college, and through a graduate education program.

At the age of 22, I had conquered so many obstacles, and I still felt worthless as a Black transgender woman who had my intellect, personhood, and sense of worth chipped away at in predominantly white institutions and in the larger world.

The journey I took between the age of 22 and now, at 31, has informed the powerful woman I am today, and it humbled and evolved me in ways necessary to regain the confidence I needed to apply and get into law school. As a Black transgender woman chasing her dreams of being an attorney–dreams she put on hold due to self-doubt, insecurity, and choosing a long-path–I want to share three lessons in love for Black transgender individuals and dreamers who may possess doubt about their ability to make it in a world where our average life expectancy is between ages 30-35.

Lesson #1

Mimi Shelton

You have all the tools you need. You are enough. I am not only stating this comment in a pop-psychology manner. You know your own character, abilities, and values.

These qualities can be informed, evolved, and refined through mentorship, community, and experience. These can never be taken from you though. Throughout my academic and professional career, my work performance and character have been put on display, crucified, doubted, and called inferior to my face in various ways. It took therapy, growth, experience, and community to realize that not everyone will want to see me shine because of their own projections, immaturity, ignorance, and unhappiness. To see someone one feels is inferior to them in the same place as they are, or farther along, can breed intimidation and imbue a desire within them to discredit the individual toward whom they are casting judgment. Their projection is not your reality, and that projection cannot warp the life tools you’ve gained, inherited, and acquired.

Lesson #2

Mimi Shelton

Be gentle with yourself and willing to fail, then evolve. I experienced professional, academic, and personal burned-out three times throughout my 20s, and I hit a personal rock bottom in 2021 after being clinically treated for major depression and anxiety.

After three years of healing, evolving, and maturing from my mental health journey, I realize how much that burn-out and trauma was rooted in the pressure, self-doubt, and insecurity I carried.

I’m not saying that discrimination, sexual violence, and harassment were not the main contributing factors, but my hand in my own suffering came from rumination, negative self-talk, and perfectionism that I developed in survival mode from childhood to adulthood. I had developed an inner voice from my life struggles that would emotionally and mentally destroy my self-worth, and it stagnated my maturation and evolution with rage, self-sabotage, and comparison. Any time I failed, faced rejection, or was told I was not good enough, I beat up on myself internally while working past my capacity physically, professionally, and psychologically.

But failure brings teachable moments and life lessons. Rejection offers you perspective and wisdom. Being told you are not good enough while you're still succeeding eventually becomes noise in the background. Until you develop your own set of skills to deal with the insecurity and pain of experiencing life as a Black trans person, be gentle with yourself and how you speak to yourself. Be willing to forgive past versions of yourself that make you cringe, and turn the cringe into laughter that becomes a lesson on ways to be different and evolve moving forward. Allow yourself to make normal life mistakes, and avoid individuals who make you feel like being imperfectly human means you’re a failure. Often, they have failed to evolve themselves and need to justify their stagnation with hate toward your path forward. Treat yourself well, Black trans people, because there are plenty of people, places, and institutions that will not do the same.

Lesson #3 Pay it forward. I’ve been fortunate to have some of the most wise, intelligent, and skillful mentors who have instilled the lesson of “paying it forward” to those who will come after you in this life. When you learn a lesson and keep it to yourself, the lesson dies with you. If you learn a lesson and pass it on, then that lesson can be utilized and made manifest in other people’s experiences who may need the knowledge. You do not have to offer unsolicited advice or become anyone’s boss to instill these values in future generations. Volunteer for a mutual aid or community-based organization. Get involved in advocacy. Speak wisdom, truths, and lessons you learn to youth and adults who need support evolving within your community spaces, especially other Black transgender youth. Become informed and get involved with something larger than yourself. I have felt lost, hopeless, and disillusioned at different moments in my life. The more I stay within your community and practice personal boundaries, the more I learn how to hone those hurt and angry feelings into the trans advocacy work that I do on behalf of other transgender people. When I’m involved in community or advocacy, I bear witness to the commonalities of human suffering across experiences, and it makes me feel understood and that much less alone. Share, create, and pay forward knowledge and wisdom to those you care for and love.

Sister, brothers, siblings: chase life with what you have. Unfortunately for us as racial and gender minorities, we don’t have much control over academic, professional, and personal circumstances. Control is about power, access, and fate. We do have agency, though, even in the most impossible of circumstances.

Agency is about choice. How an individual chooses to show up, remain persistent, learn, be vulnerable, and evolve might be the only control we do have as oppressed people. Don’t let others take away the reality of your agency. I hope you choose to dream, move forward, strive big, and love deeply. Moments and life lessons. Rejection offers you perspective and wisdom. Being told you are not good enough while you're still succeeding eventually becomes noise in the background. Until you develop your own set of skills to deal with the insecurity and pain of experiencing life as a Black trans person, be gentle with yourself and how you speak to yourself. Be willing to forgive past versions of yourself that make you cringe, and turn the cringe into laughter that becomes a lesson on ways to be different and evolve moving forward. Allow yourself to make normal life mistakes, and avoid individuals who make you feel like being imperfectly human means you’re a failure. Often, they have failed to evolve themselves and need to justify their stagnation with hate toward your path forward.

Treat yourself well, Black trans people, because there are plenty of people, places, and institutions that will not do the same.

with love,

Mimi Shelton

WORDS FROM EC

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HIGHLIGHTS Gr e e t i n g s NE W P r i d e F a mi l y ,

Serving as the first Executive Director of the NEW Pride Agenda (NPA), has been an incredibly fulfilling experience for me. When I began the role three years ago, I could not have imagined all that we have been able to accomplish thus far. Together, we not only created a statewide movement, centered on social, racial, and economic justice, we left our mark by making New York a Safe Haven for Trans Youth and Families, helped create historic investments for service providers through the Lorena Borjas Trans and Non Binary Wellness and Equity Fund, and opened the doors to our new Empowerment Center, where we are now able to provide expanded services to our community in need.

Here at the NEW Pride Agenda we have a bold vision to continue expanding our reach across the state. This year we are embarking on a strategic process to build out volunteer-led chapters in key regions of New York.

Our goal is to be able to mobilize our community and respond to emerging crises in a proactive way. This requires us to grow our infrastructure and build a bench that can last for generations to come.

Yours in Community, Elisa Crespo Executive Director NEW Pride Agenda

Formed after the dissolution of the Empire State Pride Agenda, NPA is proud of the legacy that we are a part of.

From Marriage Equality to Anti-Discrimination protections, and now, unprecedented investments in Trans-led and serving organizations, statewide advocacy is just as important today, as it was decades ago.

Many of us are aware of the anti-LGBTQ+ movement that has taken over the country. Extremist politicians and organizations have grown bolder in their attempts to dismantle New York’s reputation as a beacon of acceptance and inclusivity. We continue to fight the ban on trans girls from participating in sports in country-run facilities in Nassau County, and as of this moment, are witnessing our local school boards from Manhattan to Schenectady be infiltrated by anti-Trans groups. The fact is, nowhere is safe from the anti-LGBTQ+ hate machine, not even the home of Stonewall. It is imperative that we continue to prioritize organizations like the NEW Pride Agenda because if New York’s position as a national leader on LGBTQ+ civil rights goes, so goes the nation.

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