"Without Community There Is No Liberation"

“Without community there is no liberation, only the most vulnerable and temporary armistice between an individual and her oppression. But community must not mean a shedding of our differences, nor the pathetic pretense that these differences do not exist.” - Audre Lorde

June marks several celebrations – Immigrant Heritage Month, LGBTQIA2S+ Pride and Juneteenth!   The common thread of these celebrations is freedom and joy.  For many queer BIPOC friends in the U.S., Pride can be a mixture of joyful gatherings and “oh no” interactions, because of the too frequent glorification of certain body types (mainly white, muscular, and able bodied) and fetishization or invisibility of BIPOC bodies.  Pride celebrations, especially in large cities, often have become a place for corporations and law enforcement, alongside various community organizations, showcasing their moment of support.  In the time of growing anti-trans, anti-LGBTQ legislation alongside anti-Black, anti-immigrant politics, what does Pride mean?  These precarious moments are fertile grounds for building relationships and coming together beyond Pride.  It is a reminder that communities, especially BIPOC and other marginalized people cannot be dismissed, nor taken for granted.

- ARISE Core Group member, Antoinette González