A Primer On Pride
Happy June, and happy?Pride?Month?everyone!
We have a lot to celebrate –?
Last month, Greece became the latest country to?ban conversion therapy for minors. In 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that the 1964 Civil Rights Act protects gay, lesbian, and trans workers. Between 1985 and 2015, the percentage of parents who said they would be upset if their child came out as gay or lesbian?dropped from 89% to 39%. “Heartstopper,” a Netflix show adapted from the popular webcomic by the same name, was just renewed for two more seasons and has received?widespread critical and popular acclaim?for its celebratory depiction of young queer love.
However –?
Between January and March of 2022, there were?238 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills?introduced in the United States (compared to 41 introduced in 2018). A wave of?“Don’t Say Gay” laws?– starting in Florida and now in effect or being considered in over a dozen states – outlaw the discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation in schools.?Leaked Supreme Court documents show some justices interested in the repeal of?Obergefell?on the basis that marriage equality is not?“deeply rooted in this Nation’s history and tradition” or “implicit in the concept of ordained liberty.”?In my home state of Texas, Governor Abbott has skirted legal restrictions against discrimination with laws incentivizing private citizens to watchdog their transgender neighbors – a move with a deeply racist history that has caused significant tragedy in places with similar laws in the past.
And the effects of all these structural decisions have been devastating – according to the Trevor Project’s?2021 survey on mental health, 42% of LGBTQIA+ youth and over 50% of trans and nonbinary youth seriously considered suicide last year. Families of trans youth across the country have had to drop everything to fight for their children’s right to exist, and to defend themselves against accusations of child abuse. More and more young people are fleeing their home states as soon as they come of age, moving to places where they can live with less fear and creating a “brain drain” in the very communities that need that diversity the most.
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We’ve come a long way since the Stonewall riots in 1969 and the very first Gay Pride march in 1970, but we still have a way to go. Throughout June, Verity Voices with Pride members will share more about the things that matter to them, alongside their favorite queer charities and other ways to help. I encourage everyone to engage with these posts - not only through reading and commenting (always appreciated!) but also through thoughtful, targeted action (rainbow drink in hand, of course).
Don’t know where to start? Check out?how Washington state ranks?on a variety of LGBTQIA+ issues. Take a look at the?current bills in consideration?across the country, or pull up an?equality map?to see the trends on a particular issue. Call your representatives, mentor a queer young person, reach out to the Seattle Vaccine Trials Unit (more below), and talk to your family and neighbors – there are so many ways to get involved!?
According to?HIV.gov, approximately 1.2 million people in the United States are currently living with HIV. The Seattle Vaccine Trials Unit (SVTU), together with the?HIV Vaccine Trials Network, has been leading the fight to develop an effective and viable vaccine for HIV since 1987. Many of the researchers have been working on the project for over 20 years – their clinic coordinator, David Berger, joined in 1990! Since then, they’ve also worked on vaccines for malaria and COVID-19, but a vaccine for HIV remains their primary focus.
I first learned about SVTU late last year from a friend. A few months ago, I was approved to participate as a volunteer in one of their ongoing HIV vaccine studies, and as I write this I’ve just come from an appointment where I got another shot. I’ve had an incredible experience – the researchers are positive, passionate, and proactive – and knowing I may make a small difference in the lives of my friends with HIV just feels good. SVTU is always looking for new volunteers for a variety of studies (my coordinator, Jen, describes herself as a “study matchmaker”) – no matter who you are or what your life looks like, they need someone like you. Maybe even?you. Learn more about participating and sign up?here; then give yourself a high-five for doing something cool for science!
Contributed by Danika Scevers, member solutions officer for Verity Credit Union