Photo Credit: Naima Green
Pictured/Pronouns: Van (he, they) Chino (he, him) Nina (she, her) Ryann (they/them)
Not pictured/pronouns: Mo (she, they)
Pride Spotlight: bklyn boihood
Hey Tumblr! During the entire month for Pride 2019, we’ll be highlighting some amazing groups and individuals who are creating dope spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community. First up @bklynboihood, bklyn boihood is a collective that seeks to create spaces for queer and trans bois* of color in nyc. Let’s jump right in.
Your mission is to create spaces for Black and brown queer and trans bois* to cultivate stories, dreams and creative work. Why are these spaces so important? Why aren’t we seeing them more often?
Our mission is centered on black and queer bois*. At a time, there were very few spaces that celebrated boihood in all of the manifestations we witnessed on a day-to-day basis. As we continue to understand how lack of visual representation impacts mental health, we know it’s critical to celebrate black and queer bois because mainstream media has failed to do so. Mainstream media is a part of a larger institution, and any institution as we know has deep ties to white supremacy. We don’t see more dynamic platforms for black queer bois simply because white supremacy is a tool for eraser and that pervasive violence exists in all institutions.
Black and brown queer and trans folks created the LGBTQIA+ culture that we know today. That is #BlackExcellence365. Unfortunately we’re not seeing the right representation. How can we change that?
Power must be shifted. Do you have black queer and trans bois within your organization? Are they decision makers? If you’re a funder, are you using your platform to funnel fiscal support to organizations that center queer and trans black bois? Representation comes at a cost, often emotional labor, that in which we do not have the capacity to hold. So, are you leveraging power to hold the multiple and complex identities in which you wish to include? Inclusivity is never enough. Liberation is beyond inclusion. In order for us to to be free we must dismantle and center those are most at risk of being erased.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. People forget that it was Black and brown queer homeless youths who started this movement. How can we continue to honor them?
Honor them with your platforms, honor them with your funding, honor them by including them in the decision-making regarding their own representation, honor them beyond mere symbolism and move in solidarity by dismantling systems that wish to keep them out.
Thank you bklyn boihood for all the work you do work for the community. Tumblr, how are you supporting organizations during Pride 2019? Use the #tumblrpride to share.
This interview has been condensed for clarity
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