The LGBTQ+ Caucus held it’s Global Virtual Pride Marathon around the theme “Sharing our Stories/ Equality Matters” on June 20th.
Pride looks different around the world, but it has a shared purpose- to fight for continued recognition of the basic human rights for all LGBTQ+ people everywhere.
Sharing our stories to engage us to take action on the Equality Act was at the heart of DA Pride. It’s not often that you have your mindset and beliefs challenged and that’s exactly what DA pride was able to do. The personal stories at times brought us to tears, inspired us and challenged our beliefs and perceptions.
The Half of It
Martha Mc-Devitt Pugh, LGBTQ+ Caucus Co-Chair, kicked off the event with the Asia American & Pacific Islander Caucus looked at queer identity through Alice Wu’s film “The Half Of It.” The film explores the isolation of the intersection of queer and immigrant identity as well as the meaning of friendship.
Supporting Transgender Youth
Caroline Ruchonnet (LGBTQ+ Caucus UK) & Brian Westley (LGBTQ+ Caucus UK) interviewed Lui Asquith from a wonderful charity, Mermaids UK, that supports transgender and gender diverse children and young people. Lui, shared her personal story growing up and identifying as she/her, he/ him and They/Them and the importance of gender identity.
What did we take away?
- The importance of pro-nouns and ally’s ship around being clear with your pro-noun when you Communicate. I changed my LinkedIn name to Brian Westley (he/him) and my e-mail signature.
- Over 100 Anti- Trans Gender laws have been introduced in 2021 across US states.
- Suicide is 5X higher for LGBTQ+ youth.
- In May, 2021 A vote to allow people to determine their own gender in Spain was defeated. A day later Germany voted down two similar bills.
Between two stigmas the intersection of being LGBTQ+ and an immigrant, with Departed Dreamers, Tawheeda Wahabzada, Jason & Monsy; DACA applicant Yari; Nicole Salgado author of Amor & Exile; Randall Emery of American Families United; Immigration lawyer and former DemsAbroad DNC Representative Bob Bragar co-hosted by the DA Hispanic Caucus.
The panel shared their stories of being at the intersection of LGBTQ+ and Dreamers. Many of who had lived in the US before they could walk shared their personal stories. It was extremely emotional and brave for many to publicly out themselves for being Dreamers as well as LGBTQ+ for the first time at our Pride event. Upon leaving the US they are barred from returning to the US for 10 years. This was extremely emotional to be able to put a person to a statistic and how unfair the immigration system is to dreamers and other immigrants.
What did we take away? Educate ourselves further:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/13/opinion/daca-immigration.html
- https://amorandexile.com/
- https://www.americanfamiliesunited.org/
The Pulse Nightclub shooting 5th Anniversary: Orlando Gay Choir
Richard Lamberty, joined us from Orlando to mark the 5th anniversary to remember the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting. Richard is part of the, The Orlando Chorus who focused their grief into singing. He talked about songs such as “True Colours” and “Over the Rainbow” which became associated with the chorus and Pulse and the toll it took on the community.
What did we take away?
- LGBTQ+ choruses from around the world sent videos in solidarity with Orlando’s LGBTQ+ community such as the London Gay Men’s Chorus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTHo6ZLshqM.
- 2021 marks the 5 year anniversary of Pulse but the lasting legacy is every year Orlando focuses on Acts of Love & Kindness 49 days leading up to June 12.
- Love conquers hate.
Making change: how to share your story with Congress.
What did we take away?
- The Equality Act was H.R. Bill #5 and passed the house Click here to read more about the Equality Act
- It’s Senate Bill S-393 for context the ‘For The People Act’ on voting rights passed the House as H.R. 1 and S1.
- We learned about the process for calling or writing our elected officials.
- We took action and called our representatives using a focused call script for them to pass the S-393 (yes 393 Equality Act now.
“Edie & Thea: A Very long engagement”
The documentary about the love story behind the end of the lawsuit that ended the Defense of Marriage Act and paved the way for Marriage Equality in the United States.
What did we take away?
- When Edith Windsors 40+ year partner Thea Spyer died Edie was hit with a $363,053 IRS tax bill as they were not recognised as ‘married’ under US tax law.
- In the United States Vs Windsor, Edith successfully sued the US government and won with the Supreme Court rulin in her favor and declared the Defense of Marriage Act Unconstitutional. This led to marriage equality in the United States.
Family Friendly: Drag Story time for kids. By Fay Slift & Fluffy Souffle
What did we take away?
- Drag Queen Story Hour UK provide representation in an interactive story time.
- The core goal is that being different is not a bad thing, and to provide imaginative role models for children to look up to.
- Check them out Drag story time for kids
- Queer as Verse : Poetry Competition Poets:Diane Haven: “The Rainbows” and “It is Raining”; Scott Chase: “The Other”; Britt Farbo The New Reconstruction: “A Canticle for St.Hogates in the Time of Hope & Optimism”; “Stoop of the Peterson” and “Jubillee”; A spoken word performance by The power of our stories
What did we take away?
- We have some really talented poets who can share our stories.
- Storytelling is a powerful catalyst for change
The Power of Our Stories
The pride event then focused on the heartbreaking story of Shirley Tan and Jay Mercado, their sons Jashley and Joriene Mercado, on their family’s journey, Shirley’s experience from asylum seeker to her testimony at the Senate Judiciary Committee on same-sex immigration. Shirley, a native of the Philippines, was being deported in 2009 although married to a woman, Jay Mercado and having twin sons. Diane Feinstein intervened to stay her deportation, the defense of marriage act did not recognise her marriage to Jay Mercado in 2009.
We heard from Amos Lim, Community Advocate, Economic Justice Program, Chinese for Affirmative Action (San Francisco), co-founder, Out for Immigration discussed specific laws and bills that need our community’s support.
What did we take away? Contact your representatives around the following:
- HR 2920 – American Families United Act (Randall and Edgar)
- S. 348 – U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021
- HR 6 – American Dream and Promise Act of 2021
Poly Andrew screening. A film about sexual identity.
Gen Silent
Our Pride marathon closed with the screening of “Gen Silent,” hosted by Shari Ritter, RN. Gen Silent is an award-winning documentary that follows six LGBT older adults in Boston, Massachusetts over a year as they navigate the paid and unpaid care system.
What did we take away?
- Elderly LGBTQ+ have to face the fear of discrimination in health care/long term care that they hide their past lives.
- An inspiring story of how a small group of professionals are trying to change that.
