On Saturday, June 27th, the day before the 51st anniversary of the Stonewall riots, Looking Glass Station 7 hosted a Pride celebration with Trans*Ponder and HIV Alliance. Trans*Ponder is a local transgender founded and led nonprofit that provides support, resources, and education for the trans/gender diverse community and its allies. HIV Alliance supports people living with HIV/AIDS and works to prevent new HIV infections. Youth and staff enjoyed a barbecue in the backyard while getting the chance to learn about these valuable LGBTQ+ resources in our community. Folks participated in activities such as tye-dye, corn hole, and a raffle. There was a group art project that both youth and staff participated in and youth were given a chance to share their personal stories with the group.
“ We hosted the event first and foremost to give our youth, especially our youth of the LGBTQ+ community, a space to feel celebrated and heard. We have all been experiencing isolation from support systems and resources, but this can be particularly devastating to those struggling with their sexuality and gender identity. We wanted to bring people together in person, safely of course, for a day of re-connecting to resources and each other. "
Chantelle Brown, Runaway and Homeless Youth Services Supervisor
Pride is celebrated every year at the end of June in honor of the Stonewall riots which began on June 28, 1969 at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. At the time, police routinely raided gay bars and enforced anti-gay laws. The riots have been called the “shot heard around the world” because of their significance to the start of the LGBTQ+ rights movement. They were seen as a rallying cry, and in the weeks and months that followed the riots, two gay rights organizations and three newspapers were established to promote the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
After decades of hard work and risks taken by hundreds of people, the LGBTQ+ rights movement slowly gained momentum. In 2003, the Supreme Court ruled that laws preventing same-sex relationships were unconstitutional. In 2015, same-sex marriage became legal nationwide, and same-sex couples were allowed to adopt children in all 50 states as of 2016. Most recently, the Supreme Court made a ruling this month that protects employees from discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
These are big steps forward, but there is still great progress to be made. Currently, the majority of US states do not protect LGBTQ+ individuals from housing discrimination. This means that they can be evicted simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Many states also lack laws to protect LGBTQ+ people from hate crimes, and conversion therapy is still permissible in the majority of the country. The conspicuous absence of these protections tells the country that LGBTQ+ people are second class citizens. As a result, they face discrimination and violence.
That is why it so important to show queer youth that they have a community that cares for them at Looking Glass. Whether they are looking for specific resources, mental health services, or simply need a safe place to be, we are here for them. We aid with housing and job searches, offer therapy and emergency shelter, and provide for basic needs and education. We take pride in the strength and courage of the young people that we serve, and are deeply grateful to all of our supporters that help us do so.