Dear friend,

Today marks the start of LGBTQ Pride Month. A time for us to live into the spirit of resilience, resistance and change — and to keep going in the face of a world that seeks to stem our freedoms.

This moment is overwhelming, we know. Not only are we pushing through the previously unimaginable impact of the COVID-19 crisis — losing loved ones, losing jobs, and managing our own isolation and fear — we are also seeing horrific incidents of racial violence and profiling that target the Black community. George Floyd. Breonna Taylor. Ahmaud Arbery. Nina Pop. Tony McDade. We will say their names and join in unity to proclaim #BlackLivesMatter.

Our hearts are heavy and we are hurting, yet we remain resolved to keep up this fight. We want more than celebrations; we want justice, equality and liberation — for all. As our earliest trailblazers in the movement have taught us, Pride has never been just about celebrating who we are … it was born of protest. Pride is also fighting back against oppression at every turn and pushing relentlessly to make a better world for all in our community.

From protests at Cooper Do-Nuts in 1959, Compton’s Cafeteria in 1966 and The Black Cat Tavern in 1967 to the riots at Stonewall Inn in 1969, our community has had to fight for our freedoms. Right now is no different.

Until all among us are free and safe, none of us have the luxury of staying on the sidelines. People are dying in and outside of our community ... now is the time to act. Show your support by adding your name to our letter condemning racial violence, police brutality and racism. We need your voice and leadership. Once you’ve signed this petition, be sure to take a look at the tools we’re providing you below to continue this work alongside us past June and into the election. There is much to do and we need you.

Add your name

This year, we also hope that you will rise up to combat racism, to fight for racial and transgender justice, to push for equity for all, and of course, to still be proud … inside and out.

Let’s commemorate LGBTQ Pride Month by living into our legacy. Let’s get to work.

In solidarity,
Your HRC Family

Join us to make history this election season. Learn more about volunteer opportunities with HRC, click here. Or simply sign up for a shift and join the team.

Download our TEAM App to directly engage your own personal contacts via SMS text, email, and social media about the pro-equality issues they care about.

Join HRC at MOBIfest as we celebrate the unique experience of Black gay men during Pride Month.

In order to help the LGBTQ community and its allies commemorate Pride Month in this moment, HRC is today officially launching its #PrideInside toolkit, a series of resources to help HRC members, the LGBTQ community and its allies celebrate Pride. The toolkit will help people celebrate as they attend local virtual Pride events being held across the country. To find the toolkit, visit HRC.org/pride.

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