Happy Pride Month to all! I am so thankful we have a month dedicated to celebrating LGBTQ+/SGL pioneers. For me, June Pride Month is an opportunity for me to learn about some of the brave gay, lesbian, and transgender folks who have paved the way for a more inclusive and educated society. Many people gave their lives and livelihoods, literally, to make sure a future generation of LGBTQ+/SGL people had the opportunity to live the lives they deserve –– one with dignity, respect, and equity.
Whenever I want to learn more I look to the work of Dr. David J. Johns, the chief executive officer and executive director of the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC), a civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer+, and same-gender loving (LGBTQ+/SGL) people, including people living with HIV/AIDS. His clarity and laser-sharp vision help demystify so many misperceptions and misinformation that still permeate much of the conversation. His podcast “Teach the Babies” also provides a series of informative conversations with changemakers from diverse sectors who are shaping education and democracy in profoundly consequential ways.
My Fordham colleague, Dr Zein Murib, is a scholar I follow to learn more about transgender politics and policy. Their op-eds have served as an important source of historical context for some of the vitriol and exclusionary practices we are currently witnessing. Their book “Terms of Exclusion: Rightful Citizenship Claims and the Construction of LGBT Political Identity” (Oxford University Press, 2023) is a must-read for anyone who cares about inclusion, citizenship, and identity. Many of the themes in Murib’s book made me think deeply about my work on Black Americans as well as ways I could build more concrete coalitions with varying groups.
Pride Month is also a time to celebrate. I consider myself an ally and always want my LGBTQ+/SGL friends and family to know I support them. When I was younger, going to parades was definitely one of our mandatory June activities. We’ve aged out of partying in the hot sun, but I now use June as a time to research and support LGBTQ+ organizations that are doing the work to support the young, old, and everyone in between. Some great organizations to look into supporting are the Griot Circle, FIERCE, NBJC, Center for Black Equity, and The Okra Project, to name just a few.
Now more than ever, nonprofits need donations since so many federal grants that promote inclusion are being dismantled. It is incumbent upon us to support all of the members of our community to make sure they have the opportunities to thrive and live abundant and fulfilled lives. This June, take a little time to research ways you can do more to support LGBTQ+/SGL communities.
Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University; author of book “How to Build a Democracy: From Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams” and “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream” and is co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC.