Celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month
As LGBTQ+ History Month comes to a close — in a perilous time for human rights in this country, no less — we invite you to share with us in remembering the courageous ones who have stepped up to fight for their right to love, sometimes even to the point of being killed for it.
We celebrate and remember Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, the brave ones who threw the first bricks at Stonewall in 1969.
We celebrate and remember Harvey Milk, the first proud one who was elected to the halls of power and was assassinated for being himself.
We celebrate Edith Windsor, whose marriage, widowhood, and persistence preempted the 2015 Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage.
We celebrate Laverne Cox, whose prominence on the small screen broke down barriers and inspired many others after her.
We celebrate Alexya Salvador, a trans Brazilian pastor, shepherding her people while resisting the dehumanizing voices all around.
We celebrate Michael Sam, the bold one who went out on the field with courage, endured humiliation and othering, and continues to work for justice.
We remember Matthew Shepard, the young one whose brutal torture and death incited a revolution in this nation.
We celebrate and remember all those in hiding around the world, unable to show who they are for fear of retaliation or exclusion; those whose faith communities have excluded and failed them; those unhoused LGBTQ youth, not knowing where home is; those brave ones who speak and fight and show up, loud and proud.
We celebrate the gift of loving ourselves for who we are — fully, with no need to doubt our worth. We celebrate the gift of loving others for who they are — fully, knowing that just to do so is an act of resistance.
We call in those who haven’t yet recognized these truths, and we stand in solidarity with all our LGBTQ+ siblings in their struggle and resistance this month.
Take time to reflect and remember the pioneers, activists, and victims by watching this documentary about Marsha P. Johnson, listening to the beautiful chorale remembrance “Considering Matthew Shepard,” or reaching out to LGBTQ+ friends and family members to let them know you see them.
Sources:
LGBTQ Pride Activists & Advocates
Two Transgender Activists Are Getting a Monument in New York
