AMERIKA incorporate politics
Participants march down Fifth Avenue at the 2024 NYC Pride March in New York City on Sunday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 30 (UPI) -- Pride month celebrations culminated Sunday with parades across the world, including San Francisco and New York, where people supporting LGBTQ identities and rights, some dressed in multi-colored, elaborate clothing and costumes, marched in the streets.
In New York, thousands of Pride revelers rallied along Fifth Avenue in an event that also marked the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising of June 28, 1969, which sparked the gay rights movement in the United States.
"For 55 years, New Yorkers have proudly carried the banner that says, 'This is the birthplace of the LGBTQ+ movement,'" Gov. Kathy Hochul, who participated in the march, told the crowd.
"And today, we continue pushing forward, recognizing the contributions from those individuals who stood up against the tides of their time, who said that 'We have rights. We have rights to gather, to socialize, to dance, and to love who we want to love.'
The event and march were held under the theme of "Reflect. Empower. Unite," selected to highlight the importance of the city's Pride march "As the intersection of Queer liberation and joy," the organizing NYC Pride said in a statement.
The march and celebrations come amid an onslaught of Republican-led bills targeting the rights of the lGBT community. The American Civil Liberties Union is tracking some 527 such bills that have been entered into state legislatures this year.
NYC Pride Executive Director Sandra Pérez said earlier in a statement that the city's march is how the community combats "all the negativity."
"This is the celebration that brings people from every borough in the city and all parts of the world together, in joy, to share the accomplishments, talents and resilience of our community," Pérez said.
"The March is where we demonstrate the strength that comes with inclusion, diversity and acceptance."
Dashawn Usher, Miss Major, Raquel Willis, Michelle Visage, Eshe Ukwell and Baddie Brooks served as grand marshals for the event.
In San Francisco, city officials kicked off the festivities Saturday by marrying more than 200 couples as part of its annual tradition celebrating marriage equality.
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Its march also occurred Sunday, with the city's Pride theme being "Beacon of love."
"Yes, San Francisco is a beacon of love, but also hope," Mayor London Breed said in a statement.
"Right now, all across this country our LGBTQ+ community is under assault, with their basic rights being threatened, and we stand strong in support of this incredible community. Today is about celebrating the love that bonds individuals together and serves as the heart of the work we have ahead of us here in this City and across the nation."
There were also large Pride marches in Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago and across the globe. The Chicago march typically draws 1 million people and organizers reduced the number of floats participating in this year's festivities from 199 to 150, citing logical and safety concerns.
Participants march down Fifth Avenue at the 2024 NYC Pride March in New York City on Sunday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 30 (UPI) -- Pride month celebrations culminated Sunday with parades across the world, including San Francisco and New York, where people supporting LGBTQ identities and rights, some dressed in multi-colored, elaborate clothing and costumes, marched in the streets.
In New York, thousands of Pride revelers rallied along Fifth Avenue in an event that also marked the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising of June 28, 1969, which sparked the gay rights movement in the United States.
"For 55 years, New Yorkers have proudly carried the banner that says, 'This is the birthplace of the LGBTQ+ movement,'" Gov. Kathy Hochul, who participated in the march, told the crowd.
"And today, we continue pushing forward, recognizing the contributions from those individuals who stood up against the tides of their time, who said that 'We have rights. We have rights to gather, to socialize, to dance, and to love who we want to love.'
The event and march were held under the theme of "Reflect. Empower. Unite," selected to highlight the importance of the city's Pride march "As the intersection of Queer liberation and joy," the organizing NYC Pride said in a statement.
NYC Pride Executive Director Sandra Pérez said earlier in a statement that the city's march is how the community combats "all the negativity."
"This is the celebration that brings people from every borough in the city and all parts of the world together, in joy, to share the accomplishments, talents and resilience of our community," Pérez said.
"The March is where we demonstrate the strength that comes with inclusion, diversity and acceptance."
Dashawn Usher, Miss Major, Raquel Willis, Michelle Visage, Eshe Ukwell and Baddie Brooks served as grand marshals for the event.
In San Francisco, city officials kicked off the festivities Saturday by marrying more than 200 couples as part of its annual tradition celebrating marriage equality.
.jpg)
"Yes, San Francisco is a beacon of love, but also hope," Mayor London Breed said in a statement.
"Right now, all across this country our LGBTQ+ community is under assault, with their basic rights being threatened, and we stand strong in support of this incredible community. Today is about celebrating the love that bonds individuals together and serves as the heart of the work we have ahead of us here in this City and across the nation."
There were also large Pride marches in Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago and across the globe. The Chicago march typically draws 1 million people and organizers reduced the number of floats participating in this year's festivities from 199 to 150, citing logical and safety concerns.
Biden praises 'beloved' bar's role in gay history during unveiling at Stonewall site
Protesters gather outside at the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center grand opening ceremony in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 28 (UPI) -- The Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center opened its doors Friday, coinciding with the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, a historic moment in the LGBTQ rights movement.
The visitors center, which is the first LGBTQ-centered monument within the National Park Service, is a project led by New York nonprofit Pride Live and encompasses 2,100 square feet at 51 Christopher St. in New York City.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden traveled to New York for the opening-day celebration.
"This beloved bar became the site of a call to cry for freedom, dignity, equality and respect," Biden told the crowd. "Rebellion galvanized LBGTQ community all across the nation and, quite frankly, around the world."
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Protesters gather outside at the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center grand opening ceremony in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 28 (UPI) -- The Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center opened its doors Friday, coinciding with the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, a historic moment in the LGBTQ rights movement.
The visitors center, which is the first LGBTQ-centered monument within the National Park Service, is a project led by New York nonprofit Pride Live and encompasses 2,100 square feet at 51 Christopher St. in New York City.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden traveled to New York for the opening-day celebration.
"This beloved bar became the site of a call to cry for freedom, dignity, equality and respect," Biden told the crowd. "Rebellion galvanized LBGTQ community all across the nation and, quite frankly, around the world."
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Jill Biden said, "From today on, this visitor center and monument will tell our nation's story to the teenager who comes here and discovers she isn't alone. The activist who wants to show his children what came before. And all those who wish to learn from the wisdom of the past and use it to help chart the course for our future."
Biden was joined by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
Singers Katy Perry and Elton John also made appearances.
"I can say as a proud English, gay man, that this is one of the greatest honors of my life to be here today," he said. "The fight for freedom and equality is an ongoing one."
Former President Barack Obama designated the Stonewall National Monument in 2016 to commemorate the Stonewall Rebellion, a series of violent demonstrations against police raids on the Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969.
The project to convert the bar into a visitors center started six years ago with Pride Live co-founders Diana Rodriguez and Ann Marie Gothard.
The center will provide educational resources on LGBTQ history and culture, such as in-person and virtual tours, lectures, exhibitions and a dedicated theater space.
5 ways anti-diversity laws affect LGBTQ+ people in higher education
Biden to pardon LGBTQ service members convicted over sexual orientation
Jill Biden said, "From today on, this visitor center and monument will tell our nation's story to the teenager who comes here and discovers she isn't alone. The activist who wants to show his children what came before. And all those who wish to learn from the wisdom of the past and use it to help chart the course for our future."
Biden was joined by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
Singers Katy Perry and Elton John also made appearances.
"I can say as a proud English, gay man, that this is one of the greatest honors of my life to be here today," he said. "The fight for freedom and equality is an ongoing one."
Former President Barack Obama designated the Stonewall National Monument in 2016 to commemorate the Stonewall Rebellion, a series of violent demonstrations against police raids on the Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969.
The project to convert the bar into a visitors center started six years ago with Pride Live co-founders Diana Rodriguez and Ann Marie Gothard.
The center will provide educational resources on LGBTQ history and culture, such as in-person and virtual tours, lectures, exhibitions and a dedicated theater space.
Mexico shelters offer safe haven for LGBTQ migrants
By AFP
June 28, 2024
Venezuelan trans woman Victoria Davila, 23, puts on makeup to go to an appointment at the Mexican foreign ministry - Copyright AFP ALFREDO ESTRELLA
Emma Guillaume with Eduardo Jaramillo in Tijuana
Shirlei Vazquez, a trans woman, fled Guatemala after being assaulted and threatened, joining a growing number of LGBTQ migrants heading north in hopes of a better life in the United States.
In Mexico, these migrants have found a safe space at shelters welcoming people facing added stigma or violence on the long journey north due to their sexual orientation or identity.
“I had two options: die in my country or leave to find safety,” the 27-year-old Vasquez told AFP from a shelter in Tijuana called Rainbow House.
Back home she was assaulted and told she would be set on fire “for being gay.”
UN Women this month warned that LGBTQ migrants “face higher risks of significant physical and sexual violence at all stages of migration.”
This includes “unsafe shelters”, lack of access to healthcare and discrimination by border agents.
Casa Frida, a shelter in Mexico City, offers legal, psychological, social and medical support, as well as food aid and housing.
“Casa Frida is a safe space. A place of freedom for certain people, for those to be able to express who they really are,” said Angelica Guzman, a 24-year-old lawyer who does social work at the shelter.
The shelter opened in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic to accommodate the growing number of LGBT migrants in the country.
It has since expanded to Tapachula, a city near the country’s southern border with Guatemala where thousands of migrants pass through, as well as Monterrey in the country’s north.
– ‘All the courage in the world’ –
Victoria Davila, a 23-year-old trans woman who fled “risky situations” in Venezuela, has been at the shelter for two months.
“To migrate is to decide to recreate another life somewhere else,” she said, adding the decision to leave her home and family had taken “all the courage in the world.”
In her first few months in Mexico, Davila ran into similar dangers to those she experienced back home.
A Mexican employer took away her documents and forced her into unpaid sex work.
At the shelter, she found a family where she is “welcomed, embraced, respected and validated.”
“I have to show who I am and that I exist, and anyone who doesn’t like it should look the other way,” Davila said.
Sandy Montoya, a 23-year-old trans woman from Honduras, blamed authorities in the conservative Central American society for allowing discrimination against trans people.
“There have been several murders and the government has done nothing to bring justice,” she said.
Montoya arrived at her shelter in May and plans to apply for humanitarian asylum in the United States.
It can take two to nine months to book an asylum appointment with American authorities, so many migrants take jobs in Tijuana while waiting.
Davila, meanwhile, has decided to stay in Mexico City because of the openness of the LGBT community, where she has found work as a drag artist.
“The drag scene in Mexico City is great and very welcoming,” she said.
By AFP
June 28, 2024
Venezuelan trans woman Victoria Davila, 23, puts on makeup to go to an appointment at the Mexican foreign ministry - Copyright AFP ALFREDO ESTRELLA
Emma Guillaume with Eduardo Jaramillo in Tijuana
Shirlei Vazquez, a trans woman, fled Guatemala after being assaulted and threatened, joining a growing number of LGBTQ migrants heading north in hopes of a better life in the United States.
In Mexico, these migrants have found a safe space at shelters welcoming people facing added stigma or violence on the long journey north due to their sexual orientation or identity.
“I had two options: die in my country or leave to find safety,” the 27-year-old Vasquez told AFP from a shelter in Tijuana called Rainbow House.
Back home she was assaulted and told she would be set on fire “for being gay.”
UN Women this month warned that LGBTQ migrants “face higher risks of significant physical and sexual violence at all stages of migration.”
This includes “unsafe shelters”, lack of access to healthcare and discrimination by border agents.
Casa Frida, a shelter in Mexico City, offers legal, psychological, social and medical support, as well as food aid and housing.
“Casa Frida is a safe space. A place of freedom for certain people, for those to be able to express who they really are,” said Angelica Guzman, a 24-year-old lawyer who does social work at the shelter.
The shelter opened in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic to accommodate the growing number of LGBT migrants in the country.
It has since expanded to Tapachula, a city near the country’s southern border with Guatemala where thousands of migrants pass through, as well as Monterrey in the country’s north.
– ‘All the courage in the world’ –
Victoria Davila, a 23-year-old trans woman who fled “risky situations” in Venezuela, has been at the shelter for two months.
“To migrate is to decide to recreate another life somewhere else,” she said, adding the decision to leave her home and family had taken “all the courage in the world.”
In her first few months in Mexico, Davila ran into similar dangers to those she experienced back home.
A Mexican employer took away her documents and forced her into unpaid sex work.
At the shelter, she found a family where she is “welcomed, embraced, respected and validated.”
“I have to show who I am and that I exist, and anyone who doesn’t like it should look the other way,” Davila said.
Sandy Montoya, a 23-year-old trans woman from Honduras, blamed authorities in the conservative Central American society for allowing discrimination against trans people.
“There have been several murders and the government has done nothing to bring justice,” she said.
Montoya arrived at her shelter in May and plans to apply for humanitarian asylum in the United States.
It can take two to nine months to book an asylum appointment with American authorities, so many migrants take jobs in Tijuana while waiting.
Davila, meanwhile, has decided to stay in Mexico City because of the openness of the LGBT community, where she has found work as a drag artist.
“The drag scene in Mexico City is great and very welcoming,” she said.
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