PRIDE 2017: BE PROUD, BE LOUD, BE YOU

Washington, DC, May 23, 2017 --

May 23, 2017, Washington, DC. InterPride, the International Association for Pride Organizers, whose member organizations produce Pride events around the world, is calling on LGBTQ+ people everywhere to attend and support local Prides everywhere, rising up to tell the world that they will not be silent in the face of oppression.

June is traditionally the main month when LGBTQ+ people around the world take to the streets to celebrate pride and in myriad ways demonstrate the diversity of our community and our allies. But 2017 is very different. After years of progress on many fronts we now have fervent opponents of LGBTQ equality in control of every branch of the US government. Pride has taken on a new urgency in 2017. With celebrations happening in hundreds of locations throughout the month and The Equality March for Unity & Pride centered in Washington, DC on June 11, there will be opportunities for everyone to show their Pride, protest anti-LGBTQ efforts and put a face on the larger community at this critical time.

Pride celebrations were born out of protest in the late 1960’s, from the Compton Cafeteria and Stonewall riots, as well as pickets in the mid-1960’s in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, PA. In 2017, protest can take many forms. Many are organizing Pride events to create venues to speak up for LGBTQ rights in their own cities and states; some are joining the National Equality March in DC to stand against the current administration’s homophobic and transphobic policies; and of course, simply celebrating LGBTQ+ identity in the face of those who see the community as “less than” for can be an act of protest in itself.

At Pride, the LGBTQ community can and must come together to welcome all of its diverse members, embracing its role as larger intersectional communities that are inclusive of people of every age, race, religion, ethnicity, gender, profession, ability and income. No one has a monopoly on the definition of Pride; rather, each Pride aims to create a venue where all LGBTQ+ people can be themselves.

Even as the community comes together to face the immense political challenges posed by this administration, InterPride reminds Pride organizers and attendees that their place in history will be built on the accomplishments, and the hard-won struggles, of all those who came before. Pride organizations have a vital role as the stewards of this history. In that spirit, InterPride calls on all LGBTQ+ people to take part in their local Pride, whether by volunteering, marching, or simply attending.

Pride can be among the most powerful acts of resistance, and this year, LGBTQ+ Americans across the country will raise their voices louder than ever against those who would rescind their hard-won rights.

About InterPride

InterPride is the international organization that ties Pride together globally. Members of our organization are dedicated volunteers who organize and work to put on Pride events all over the world.

InterPride’s Vision is a world where there is full cultural, social and legal equality for all. InterPride acts as a source of education and a stepping-stone to elevating community interaction for Pride events worldwide. We promote Pride on an international level and increase networking opportunities and communication among Pride Organizations.

We welcome any LGBTI organization that produces Pride events for their greater community as one of its purposes or activities to join InterPride and attend our conferences.

Pride events can include a parade, march, rally, festival, arts festival, cultural activity, event or activity organized for people identifying as Lesbian, Gay Men, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and/or other emerging sexual identities.

Join your local Pride and become a part of the Global Pride community.

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/192bda1c-70b4-433b-9dd5-5d8d46e31c81

Cathy Renna
Interpride
917-75705123
[email protected]