Pride month 2023: Two steps forward, one step back

Pride month in 2023 has been a microcosm of the broader struggle for LGBTQ equality: joy and progress, yet also painful reminders of the struggle and work to be done.

First the joy! My family celebrated Pride at the White House , with the largest Pride party any administration has held. It was a festive atmosphere, with the President and First Lady both encouraging us to find and celebrate joy--and to use it to give strength in the harder moments. I was glad to show my 5-year-old twins that there is a whole community of people--including the leader of the free world--that love, support, and affirm our family.

I was also happy and proud that my organization, Jobs for the Future (JFF) , put a panel about equity for LGBTQ people front-and-center on the main stage at our 1,500-person Horizons summit. After a powerful intro by my JFF colleague Taylor Sprague , Charlotte Clymer moderated a conversation featuring attorney Alexia Korberg (who litigated the Windsor gay-marriage case, as well as the Dobbs abortion case at the Supreme Court) and Dr. Philip McAdoo (author, DEI expert, and former Broadway actor). [Session video coming soon.]

I left hopeful because such a fierce set of advocates is fighting for LGBTQ rights! However, the message was sobering; as Alexia noted, "There are more laws right now oppressing LGBTQ people than there ever have been in the history of this country."

In particular, trans rights are under attack. Alexia told that group that one of the state legislators in Idaho that passed a law restricting trans rights said he was hoping to erase transgenderism. "There is no such thing as transgenderism," said Alexia. "There’s transgender people. There’s no erasure of transgenderism without erasing transgender people. And that is what’s happening right now."

They also noted that there is a narrative that LGBTQ rights--including trans rights--are too political or controversial: "There is nothing political about our existence, our dignity, our ability to access basic rights. These are not issues about which reasonable minds can differ. And having those conversations, pushing back is actually so important."

Philip also said that being silent at this time isn't an option. "It’s the people that pretend like nothing is happening. The people pretending that these laws are aren’t impacting our trans co-workers, and not saying anything, instead of creating a space to say, hey Alexia, how are you doing today? I know the world feels pretty shitty, but what can I do for you? How can I show up for you. That’s it. That’s it. Just be willing and open to learn and see people."

Back to joy! We closed our summit with our second annual Pride Party at the historic New Orleans restaurant Tujague’s, where Chasten Buttigieg (author, activist, and husband of cabinet secretary Pete Buttigieg) addressed the crowd. Drawing on his newly released memoir "I Have Something to Tell You," Buttigieg challenged allies to step up. Both straight allies of LGBTQ people, but also L-G-B allies of trans people. He called on people to use whatever positions of privilege and platforms they have to advocate for full LGBTQ equality.

Chasten also challenged us to be joyful. "I'm really happy," he said, adding that when he was a kid, he never thought he would come out, live a happy life, be a father, and have a platform to advocate for equality. He recognized that there are people who troll the LGBTQ community and him and his family. But, he said, "especially this pride, do not let anyone rob you of that joy. Pride is a celebration, but it’s also a time to celebrate your own existence, your own happiness!"

So as we leave Pride month behind, I am hopeful that the feelings of excitement and rainbow flags from me and others will manifest into real action and change. How might we continue to show up for one another as individuals and human beings? And how might be use our positions of privilege and megaphones to call out injustice, influence our cultures, and fight for LGBTQ equality?