Week of Action 2020

June 22 – 28, 2020

Virtual Programming on facebook, twitter, instagram, and YouTube.

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.

The 2020 LGBTQ+ Week of Action is focused on :

• 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

Week of Action Program Overview

Monday : focusing on the effects of 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 with us using the tag #ArtAgainstViolence or anonymously be emailing women@newhavenpridecenter.org. 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)

Tuesday : focusing on the ways in which Housing and Food Insecurity effect us

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.
• Join the New Haven Pride Center is supporting Transgender Athletes! Write a letter of support of transgender athletes and send to Governor Ned Lamont telling him to stand on the right side of history and defend the State of Connecticut’s laws that protect transgender students athletes from discrimination. Click here to see our sample letter.

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)

Wednesday : standing against Police Brutality and standing up for Black Lives Matter

On Wednesday of our program, we will be focusing on the ways in how as a community we can stand against police brutality, stand up for Black and Brown communities who are disproportionately effected by police violence, and as a community. Most of this days programming and action items have been at the direction of our partner Black Lives Matter New Haven.

Check out the infographic by the Party for Socialism and Liberation looking at the spending habits of police forces across Connecticut vs other departments : Bridgeport | Danbury | Hartford | New London | New Haven | Stamford | Waterbury

Daily Action :

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)

Thursday : fighting for folk who engage in Sex Work and Labor

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)

Panels & Conversations

On Friday and Sunday, the Center will further explore topics relevant to our week of action including standing against Incarceration and Racial Profiling, supporting victims of violence, preserving our community’s history, and meeting the unique needs of LGBTQ+ Youth. Panels will include speakers that reflect expertise and personal experience in various areas and will be moderated by Center staff and board members.

These panels will be hosted virtually on the Center’s Facebook and YouTube pages.

Community Dialogues

On Saturday, the Center invites you to join us in a virtual civic space for community dialogues focused on two keys conversations that need to happen more in our community – Healthcare Equity and Anti-Racism Work. Each dialogue will include community organizers that reflect expertise and personal experience that will help facilitate the conversation. These dialogues will be moderated by the Center’s Executive Director, Patrick J Dunn.

These dialogues will be hosted virtually on Zoom and streamed live to our Facebook pages.

Thank You to Our Partners