In June of every year, Pride Month is celebrated by the LGBTQIA+ community across the country. While Pride is a celebration of visibility, equality, and self-affirmation; it is necessary to remember that Pride commemorates the 1969 Stonewall riots. The first Pride was a protest against police brutality and oppression.
On June 28, 1969, police officers raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City. Gay bars were often raided, in which police harassed and arrested patrons based on their gender identity and sexual orientation. On this night, patrons fought back in what is now known as the Stonewall Uprising. The riot ignited on June 28 lasted throughout the night and for the next six days. While thousands of people joined in on the protests and riots, it is important to note that the uprising was led largely by trans people of color. Marsha P. Johnson, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, and Sylvia Rivera were all crucial to the beginning of the Stonewall Uprising and continued their activism for LGBTQ rights.
The message "Pride is Protest" keeps us mindful of the movement's beginnings, but also maintains focus on present-day where queer folks - especially Black & Trans people - still regularly face discrimination in-person and online.
Our "Trans Rights are Human Rights" tee was made in response to the harmful legislation recently passed in Tennessee and Arkansas as well as anti-trans bills currently circulating in dozens of state legislatures across the country. Trans rights are under attack and these dangerous bills actively harm trans people!
Click here to see the full list of anti-trans bills currently active in state legislatures across the country. Thirty-three states (including Michigan!) have introduced more than 100 bills that aim to curb the rights of transgender people across the country, with advocacy groups calling 2021 a record-breaking year for such legislation.
ALL PROFITS from our "Pride is Protest" gear and "Trans Rights" tee will be donated to Go Affirmations to support the local trans & queer community in Metro Detroit. There are so many amazing queer organizations that are worthy of support - we recommend giving back to ones located in your community in any way you can. We appreciate your support and together we can make the change we want to see.
