Natasha Hooper, a poet and event host in San Diego, said she is commemorating LGBTQ+ Pride Month by honoring Black historical figures – often overlooked or underappreciated by the broader LGBTQ+ community — and celebrating in solidarity with other African Americans.
Hooper emphasized the need to strengthen community bonds, especially as LGBTQ+ people face growing hate and shrinking rights.
Hooper said she and her friends plan to attend Pride events that celebrate Black people including picnics, pool parties, music events and networking opportunities.
“I grew up very much closeted and it took me a while to kind of come into my own with my queerness, Hooper told California Black Media. (CBM).
“However, as an adult, I think it’s an important time to acknowledge our Black history in the LGBTQ+ community and the people who have fought and sacrificed for the freedoms we have now. Some of those people having fought for Civil Rights at the same time; Bayard Rustin, Marsha P. Johnson, James Baldwin and others. I think it would’ve also made life for my younger self a lot less lonely knowing I could be living the life I am now.” Hooper added.
According to the most recent survey conducted by the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) in partnership with the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and pansexual (12 percent) and transgender (19 percent) adult respondents were more likely to experience hate than Californians overall.
Researchers surveyed more than 20,000 households on health and hate related questions for the report.
One year after Gov. Gavin Newsom officially proclaimed June as LGBTQ+ Pride month, the current political and social climate in the country has raised questions on how celebrations like Pride will be regarded by the mainstream in the future.
“This month, we celebrate the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community and their hard-fought victories to advance acceptance and equality,” said Newsom in a release after proclaiming June Pride month. “We must also rededicate ourselves to the continued fight — standing together, united, to protect and build on our progress toward a better, more inclusive, and safer future for all.”
This year, some corporations that previously aligned themselves with LGBTQ+ celebrations and campaigns have begun to decrease or drop their support as they align with the Trump administration’s anti-diversity posture.
Gravity Research, a risk management advisory firm, reports that 39 percent of corporations say they plan to scale back public Pride Month engagements this year, according to a survey of more than 200 executives. That includes sponsoring Pride events, posting supportive messages of LGBTQ+ rights on social media and selling Pride-themed merchandise.
“It’s clear that the administration and their supporters are driving the change,” said Luke Hartig, the president of Gravity Research. “Companies are under increasing pressure not to engage and speak out on issues.”