In the month of June, we celebrate Pride, loving and championing people in the LGBTQIA+ community in our personal circles all over the country and world. Pride month events are meant to honor the Stonewall Rebellion that took place on June 28, 1969, in New York City. Led by Black LGTBQ people, patrons at the Stonewall Inn fought back against police officers who were executing a raid on the establishment –– something that was commonplace at the time. Now, marches and gatherings commemorate the Stonewall Rebellion and the ongoing fight for equality, safety, and civil rights.
To recognize the continued work of LGBTQIA+ advocates and activists, we’re acknowledging ten Black-led organizations that are working to support LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities. Their work provides housing and food resources, raises mental health awareness, and further pushes the fight for equality with wide-reaching equity.
National Black Justice Coalition
The National Black Justice Coalition seeks to “end racism, homophobia, and LGTBQ/SGL bias and stigma.” The organization was founded in 2003 and has led policy change, research, and education in support of its mission.
The Transgender District
The Transgender District was founded in 2017 by three Black transgender women. The district encompasses six blocks in the Tenderloin section of San Francisco and is the first legally recognized Cultural District for transgender people in the world. The district was created to provide “an urban environment that fosters the rich history, culture, legacy, and empowerment of transgender people.”
Black AIDS Institute
Found in 1999, the Black AIDS Institute was created to “mobilize and educate Black Americans about HIV/AIDS treatment and care.” The organization has worked to disrupt oppression systems that prevent adequate healthcare for Black people.
META Center, Inc.
The META Center, Inc. (Motivate, Educate, Transform, and Advocate) is an Akron, Ohio-based nonprofit organization that “creates programming for transgender and gender non-conforming youths ages 7-19.”
Giovonni Santiago, a transgender Air Force veteran, partnered with his doctor to open the center after witnessing the difficulties LGTBQIA+ veterans had in obtaining appropriate healthcare and seeing the alarming rate of LGBTQIA+ youth victimized by their communities.
The Okra Project
The Okra Project is an initiative that seeks to address food insecurity faced by Black transgender people around the nation. The project provides home-cooked, culturally-relevant meals to people in need while giving meal-prep resources.
Black Trans Travel Fund
The Black Trans Travel Fund helps support access to safe transportation to transgender people in need. The Fund supports access to safe rides to those who may be going to job interviews, traveling from work, and more.
My Sistah’s House
Based in Memphis, Tennessee, My Sistah’s House was founded by Kayla Rena Gore and Illyahnna C. Wattshall to provide safe, reliable housing and resources for LGBTQIA+ people. In addition to emergency housing, the group helps will bail assistance, license reinstatement, resume coaching, and more.
The LGBTQ+ Freedom Fund
The LGBTQ+ Freedom Fund seeks to address the disproportionate impact of the cash bail system on LGTBQ+ people.
National Black Trans Advocacy Coalition
The National Black Trans Advocacy Coalition was founded in 2011 and seeks to “improve the Black transgender human experience by overcoming violence and injustice in the world through the power, value, and love of all people!”
The coalition provided free protective equipment and resources to transgender people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
House of GG
Founded by Miss Major Griffen-Gracy, who was at the Stonewall Rebellion, the House of GG creates “safe and transformative spaces where members of our community can heal.” The organization focuses on transgender women of color who live in the South.
There are so many Black-led LGBTQIA+ organizations to support. Click here to learn more.
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