During the 2020 LGBTQ+ Week of Action, the New Haven Pride Center invites you to join us as we discuss and explore a variety of topics that effect the LGBTQ+ community. This program, which is created in partnership with partners across our region, aims to connect the community together in dialogue and direct action. This program was primarily curated by our LGBTQ+ Women’s Program Officer, Miranda Rector.
Goals of the Week of Action:
- the effects of Domestic Violence
- the ways in which Housing and Food Insecurity effect us
- standing against Police Brutality and standing up for Black Lives Matter
- fighting for folk who engage in Sex Work and Labor
- standing against Incarceration and Racial Profiling
- achieving Healthcare Equity for all, especially the Transgender Community
Meet the Program Curator
Miranda Rector (they/them)
Women’s Program Officer
Questions? Contact them here
Thank You to Our Sponsors & Partners
Schedule of Events
Breaking the Queer Pipeline to Prison
June 26 | 12:00p (EST)
This panel will include perspectives from David Booth (xe/xem), Kerry Ellington (she/her), and Tremaine Jones (he/him/they/them). This panel will be moderated by New Haven Pride Center Director of Case Management Juancarlos Soto (he/him/el).
Supporting LGBTQ+ Survivors of Violence
June 26 | 4:00p (EST)
This panel will include perspectives from Anna Martineau (she/her), Efrain (he/him), and Monique (she/her). This panel will be moderated by New Haven Pride Center Women’s Program Officer Miranda Rector (they/them).
Equity in Healthcare for the Queer Community
June 27 | 12:00p (EST)
This panel will include perspectives from Dr. A.C. Demidont (she/her), Alex Garbara (he/him), Layne Gianakos (he/him), Jerimarie Liesegang (she/her), and Gretchen Raffa (she/her). This panel will be moderated by New Haven Pride Center Executive Director Patrick J Dunn (he/him).
Addressing Racism in the Queer Community
June 27 | 2:00p (EST)
This panel will include perspectives from Kamora Herrington (she/her), Jesus Abraham Morales Sánchez (he/him), Roslyn Sotero (she/her), Caroline Smith (she/her), Bilal Tajildeen (he/him), and Karleigh Webb (she/her). This panel will be moderated by New Haven Pride Center Executive Director Patrick J Dunn (he/him).
Preserving LGBTQ+ Safe Spaces & History
June 28 | 12:00p (EST)
This panel will include perspectives from Andrew Dowe (he/him), Mucha Mucha / Dr. Rick Stillson (ze/zer/they/them), and John Pepe (he/him). This panel will be moderated by New Haven Pride Center Founder John D. Allen (he/him).
Meeting the Unique Needs of LGBTQ+ Youth
June 28 | 4:00p (EST)
This panel will include perspectives from Jamila (she/her), Kylie Nassif Blizzard (she/her), Mel Cordner (they/them), and Keana Dubose (they/them). This panel will be moderated by New Haven Pride Center Youth Program Officer ala ochumare (she/her).
Daily Actions & Articles
Domestic Violence
On Monday of our program, we will be focusing on the effects that Domestic Violence has on the LGBTQ+ community. Domestic violence against LGBTQ+ people can come from partners, parents, and other family members. As a community, we know that homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia thrive in isolation.
Check out this incredible music video by local drag-activist Rory Roux-Lay Heart about domestic violence (please note that this video contains simulated violence).
Also check out the Futures Without Violence resources for LGBTQ+ folk, as well as check out the CT SafeConnect resource page.
Daily Action:
Participate in our Art Against Violence social media campaign, in partnership with Nasty Women Connecticut.
How do we care for ourselves and community members? How can we use art to heal ourselves and our communities? Share your art on social me using the hashtag #ArtAgainstViolence. Please include content/trigger warnings for any graphic content.
Daily Articles:
- Communities, Not Police, Are Our Best Bet for Ending LGBTQ Domestic Violence by Helen (Autostraddle)
- Imagining a Better World For Trans Women Survivors Of Domestic Violence by Morgan Collado (Autostraddle)
Housing & Food Insecurity
On Tuesday of our program, we will be focusing on the ways in which Housing and Food Insecurity effect the LGBTQ+ community at disproportionate rate – particularly LGBTQ+ youth who make up between 20-40% of Connecticut’s homeless youth population.
On Tuesday, we will also be showing up for transgender athletes. Athletics participation, particularly in schools, gives transgender people access to community and a place to thrive. Check out the Center’s recent panel titled Right to Play : Standing Up for Trans Athletes featuring Karleigh Webb, Dr. AJ Eckert, Jay Potter, and Raven Matherne and moderated by Lindsey Pembrooke.
Check out this infograph from the Trans Student Educational Resources (TSER) on LGBTQ+ homelessness in the USA. More information at transstudent.org.
Daily Action:
Join the New Haven Pride Center in signing the Cancel Rent Petition! This petition, that advocates for Governor Ned Lamont to cancel Connecticut rent and mortgages and put a long-term halt to evictions, is going to be vital to fight against an increased rate of housing insecurity in Connecticut. Sign the petition here.
Daily Articles:
- Is Connecticut headed for an eviction crisis? by Jacqueline Rabe Thomas (Hartford Courant)
- New Study Reveals the Scope of Youth Homelessness by Nick Seip, CAPM (True Colors United)
- Coronavirus pandemic a perfect storm for LGBTQ homeless youth by Anke Gladnick (NBC News)
- The champ and I by Karleigh Webb (outsports.com)
Police Brutality and standing up for BLM
On Wednesday of our program, we will be focusing on the ways in how as a community we as a community can stand against police brutality and stand up for Black and Brown communities who are disproportionately effected by police violence. Most of this day’s programming and action items have been at the direction of our partner Black Lives Matter New Haven.
Daily Actions:
Transgender victims of violence are often repeatedly misgendered and dead named by local law officials and media outlets. With all that’s going on in our world right now, it would for officials to allow transphobic violence to go uncharged. Help us keep the cases or recent murders out of the darkness and make sure they get their justice.
- Join the New Haven Pride Center in singing the petition Justice for Riah Milton. Riah Milton, a transgender woman, was murdered on June 9th. You can also donate to the GoFundMe helping with her funeral costs here. #JusticeforRiah #RestinPower
- Join the New Haven Pride Center in singing the petition Justice for Dominique ‘Rem’mie’ Fells. Dominique Fells, a transgender woman, was also murdered on June 9th. You can also donate to the GoFundMe helping with her funeral costs here. #JusticeforDominique #RestinPower
Daily Articles:
- Police and Prison Abolition 101: A Syllabus and FAQ by Rachel (Autostraddle)
- Stop Trying to Justify Tony McDade’s Killing by Devin-Norelle (them.us)
Fighting for folks who engage in Sex Work
On Thursday of our program, we will be advocating in support of sex work being real work. LGBTQ+ sex workers, particularly Black and Brown transgender women, have been crucial movers and shakers in the movement for fighting for all of our rights. We need to show up for them.
Check out the infographics by Sex Worker Allies Network (SWAN) CT and the Yale Global Health Justice Partnership here and here.
Daily Action:
Sign up to volunteer with Sex Workers and Allies Network (SWAN). Click here to fill out their volunteer form.
Daily Articles:
- Principles of Pride: Sex Work Is Real Work, Sex Workers Are Fucking Revolutionary by Kai Cheng (Autostraddle)
- Extra! Extra! The Pandemic Proves Sex Workers Deserve Decriminalization & Safety Nets by Himani (Autostraddle)
- Sex Workers Are an Important Part of the Stonewall Story, But Their Role Has Been Forgotten by Scott W. Stern (TIME)