In the late 1970s, pop singer Anita Bryant waged a successful campaign dubbed “Save Our Children” to roll back the rights of gay people. It was one of the many frustrating setbacks along the rainbow path to 2SLGBTQ liberation and equality.
Today, the same rhetoric is back and trans folks and drag performers are now catching the brunt of it, with laws being passed in numerous U.S. states limiting their rights to medical care and freedom of expression. While there is no such legislation in Canada, there always seems to be someone attempting to import the vilest aspects of American politics into our own.
Whether they stand on overpasses or stand for office, in the lead up to our own Pride Week, our community’s message is the same: We’re not going back. Our children don’t need saving by the likes of them. Trans rights are human rights.
It’s in that spirit that the North Shore Pride Alliance is inviting everyone to join in the “uprising” at the Pride on the Pier event at the Shipyards, Aug. 4. It will be fun and colourful, no doubt, but also a show of love and support and an act of defiance at a time when it’s needed.
Throughout this week's print edition and on our website this week, you will find messages of equality from our advertisers and numerous stories about today’s 2SLGBTQ issues and the people doing the work of pushing for progress, educating others and serving as role models. We salute all of you. You fill us with pride.
What are your thoughts? Send us a letter via email by clicking here or post a comment below.
