By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
(Boston, MA) Today a group of government leaders met at the steps of the State House to celebrate the raising of the Pride Flag for Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month 2020. Leaders spoke of unity and acceptance in The Commonwealth that transcends gender, sexuality, race, and identity. Senator Ed Markey spoke at the event and remarked that LGBTQ rights do not stand for “lets go back in time.” Others remarked on the fight for trans women of color in the community, who still suffer from prejudice and marginalization.
“We don’t have a place to call our own,” said transgender activist Athena Vaughn. Vaughn said that she did not feel she had anything to celebrate this time around, due to the pervasive discrimination that still exists against trans women of color. Vaughn asked community leaders to sincerely lend their voices to tomorrow’s Black Lives Matter march or to make a donation to the Transgender Emergency Fund.
“COVID-19 has displaced a lot of people,” said Vaughn, “But what about those people who were already displaced.”
Senator Markey framed the fight against prejudice and hate as a fight for the very future of the country. Markey asked for comradery and unity in the fight for justice.
“More color, more pride, more justice,” said Markey.