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People Will Talk: The Politics and Pride Edition


By Nancy Ford |

“Pride Month is celebrated with parades and parties. Politicians, celebrities and corporate CEOs wave rainbow flags and stand with our community. But you and I know that earlier LGBTQ pride celebrations were rooted in protest — and it’s a history we’d do well to remember.â€

—Victory Fund president and chief executive officer, Annise Parker. Via VictoryFund.org

“The New York City Pride March on June 24 will feature the largest collection of professional sports leagues ever for an LGBTQ Pride March or Parade. Virtually all of the major professional sports leagues based in the United States will all be taking part in the Pride March. The NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA and WNBA are all registered as leagues to march in the parade and will have floats. Major League Soccer and the National Women’s Hockey League will have employees and players marching, as well.â€

—Via OutSports.com

“________________.â€

—Text of U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s official proclamation honoring June 2018 as LGBT Pride Month. The text is identical to the Trump administration’s June 2017 proclamation recognizing LGBT Pride. Via media reports

“Pride Month is an opportunity to celebrate the vast contributions LGBTQ Americans have made to our society, to honor the generations of leaders and activists who have fought for equality, and to rededicate ourselves to the work that remains…. We’ve made incredible progress for LGBTQ rights, and we’ve seen LGBTQ candidates achieve historic victories up and down the ballot. But LGBTQ Americans still face hurdles to equality across our society — from bathrooms to bakeries to the ballot box. Every day, Republicans in Congress, the White House, and at the state and local level are trying to turn back the clock on LGBTQ rights.â€

—Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez, DNC LGBTQ Caucus Chair Earl Fowlkes, Finance Chair Henry Munoz, Treasurer William Derrough, and Secretary Jason Rae in a press statement celebrating 2018 LGBTQ Pride Month. Via Democrats.org

“Not a chance.â€

—Anonymous U.S. Department of Education employee, commenting on the possibility of Secretary of Education Betsy Devos attending that department’s two events related to Pride. One discussion set for June 19 is titled “Highlighting Difference with Children.†Another in July is set to discuss Supreme Court cases related to LGBT issues. Via LGBTQNation.com

“We unequivocally condemn the use of this slur or any type at our matches. Security was able to identify a few individuals using the chant and remove them from the stadium during yesterday’s match. Any individuals that chant this offensive slur at StubHub Center will be removed from the facility immediately and subject to a stadium ban. Going forward, our staff will be vigilant in order to continue to identify and eject any individuals that use this chant — or any hateful or discriminatory speech — from StubHub Center.â€

—Los Angeles Galaxy spokesperson Chris Glidden in a statement to the press after soccer fans repeatedly chanted “Puto!†the anti-gay slur at the Galaxy’s match against FC Dallas during LGBTQ Pride Night. Via OutSports.com

“The New York City Pride March on June 24 will feature the largest collection of professional sports leagues ever for an LGBTQ Pride March or Parade. Virtually all of the major professional sports leagues based in the United States will all be taking part in the Pride March. The NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA and WNBA are all registered as leagues to march in the parade and will have floats. Major League Soccer and the National Women’s Hockey League will have employees and players marching, as well.â€

—Via OutSports.com

“Pride is more than just an event in big US cities — it is becoming increasingly vital in medium and small towns as well as globally, where prejudice, discrimination and even violence against us still flourishes. It’s all the more important to foster pride around the globe and reach out beyond the ‘safer’ coastal cities where pride has flourished for decades. Pride needs to grow from the depths of Middle America to the farthest shores worldwide. Being out, and proud, and visible sends a message of solidarity and builds critical mass worldwide.â€

—Columnist Gwendolyn Smith. Via LGBTQNation.com

“When straight people ask why there is a need for gay pride or wonder why there aren’t straight pride celebrations, it feels a lot like they are saying contributions by LGBTQ people — a minority group that faces constant adversity — are simply not worthy of recognition. Further, they’re denying the importance and significance of identifying as LGBTQ and achieving things — surviving, even — when the odds are stacked against you.â€

—Columnist Chris Hanna. Via USAToday.com

“This is a month where I think we need to celebrate how far we’ve come, but I think we also need to acknowledge how far we have left to go. I want to send my love and respect to everybody who hasn’t felt comfortable enough to come out yet …. May you do that on your own time and may we end up in a world where everyone can live and love equally and no one has to be afraid to all say how they feel.â€

—Pop star Taylor Swift. Via People.com

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