Speak Up Now: Solidarity in LGBTQ+ Pride Month

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month—a time to celebrate visibility, joy, and the hard-won victories of our community. But in 2025, Pride also feels urgent. Across the country, transgender individuals are under attack: bills restricting access to gender-affirming care, “bathroom bans,” and hateful rhetoric in legislatures and on social media. For many trans people—especially trans youth—the consequences are life or death. Over half of transgender Americans report avoiding public spaces out of fear of harassment, and suicide attempts remain staggeringly high.¹

The Legacy of Stonewall and Why It Matters Today

In June 1969, Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and countless others stood up against police brutality and systemic oppression in New York City’s Greenwich Village. Their brave defiance sparked the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. They did not sacrifice their safety so we could exist in silence. Their message was clear: visibility combats oppression. Today, we face a similar crossroads. Will we continue marching in parades and posting rainbows while allowing harmful laws to pass? Or will we carry forward Stonewall’s spirit and challenge injustice head-on?

Transgender Lives on the Line

In the past year alone, more than a dozen states have introduced or enacted legislation curbing transgender rights—banning gender-affirming care for minors, criminalizing supportive school policies, and restricting transgender athletes from participating in school sports.² These laws do not emerge in a vacuum; they fuel harassment, discrimination, and even violent attacks.

• Fear of Retaliation: Many transgender and gender-nonconforming people already navigate daily threats to their safety. They risk losing family support, housing, or employment if they speak out.

• Compounded Marginalization: Black and Latino trans women face a homicide rate nearly three times higher than any other demographic.³ When we talk about “health equity,” we must recognize that systemic discrimination literally kills people.

From Allyship to Action

Allyship is more than posting a rainbow filter or sharing a generic “love is love” message. Real solidarity demands risk. Loudly opposing harmful bills, calling legislators, attending rallies, and donating to local trans-led organizations are concrete steps you can take today. If you see transphobic graffiti or hear coworkers making derogatory remarks, intervene—gently but firmly. Speak up at home: share resources with family members who might be struggling to understand why trans rights matter. Your words can protect lives.

1. Write to Your Representatives: Find out which bills target trans communities in your state. Email or call your legislators and demand they oppose any measure that infringes on trans rights.

2. Support Trans-Led Groups: Organizations like the Transgender Law Center, GLSEN’s Gender & Sexuality Alliances, and local LGBTQ+ centers rely on donations and volunteers. Even a small gift can fund legal support or mental-health resources.

3. Create Inclusive Spaces: If you’re a manager, educator, or clinician, audit your policies. Ensure your forms are gender-inclusive, your bathrooms are safe, and your staff knows how to intervene when harassment happens.

Why Your Voice Matters

History shows that social change comes when ordinary people refuse to back down. Stonewall wasn’t a moment of celebration—it was an act of upris­ing. Today, anti-trans bills are not just bad policy; they are moral crises. If you wait until the world feels “safe,” you will remain silent while your trans siblings are stripped of their rights. Too many marginalized folks have been conditioned to stay quiet—because speaking up can cost them their livelihoods, their homes, or their lives. As allies, we have a responsibility to use our relative privilege to amplify their voices.

Solidarity for LGBTQ+ Pride Month Moving from “Feel Good” to “Do Good”

Advocates march resolutely, holding the inclusive pride flag and signs promoting trans rights and equity. The environment is filled with solidarity and activism.

As a queer Black, autistic woman with mobility challenges and Jewish heritage, I know firsthand how scary it can be to speak up for others. I’ve hesitated—wondering if speaking out will cost me my safety, my work, or my peace of mind. I’ve felt my heart race before posting a simple statement of solidarity, wondering if I’m putting myself directly in harm’s way. But I’ve also come to realize that the fear of being targeted is universal—whether we’re advocating for trans rights, racial equity, disability justice, or any other cause. At some point, we must recognize that our silence only hands power to those who want to keep us invisible.

That’s why I founded Conscious By Us: to help organizations and individuals translate values into tangible change—even when it feels risky. It isn’t enough to say “we care.” We have to choose action, despite our fears. We must engage in solidarity during Pride Month.

Now Is the Time

Pride Month is a reminder that freedom is not guaranteed—it’s fought for. The same spirit that ignited Stonewall must light our path forward. Trans lives are on the line, and marginalized voices need safe spaces to be heard. If you claim allyship, don’t hesitate. Speak up now—before there is no one left to speak for. 🌈✊

¹ Lambda Legal, “When Health Care Isn't Caring: Lambda Legal’s Survey of Discrimination Against LGBTQI People and People Living with HIV.”² Movement Advancement Project, “Equality Maps: Gender Identity Nondiscrimination Laws.”³ Human Rights Campaign, “Violence Against the Transgender Community in 2024.”

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