Pride Month is marred by a record number of Anti-LGBTQ+ Bills in state legislatures, with Black youth most at risk

“We are powerful because we have survived, and that is what it is all about- survival and growth.” - Audre Lorde Pride Month should be a time for celebrating love, the freedom to love whom we choose, and triumph over prejudice, ignorance, and fear of the past.

- Marc H. Morial

The prejudice, ignorance, and fear of the present, however, have cast a dark shadow over this year’s celebration.

In the past few years, there has been an astonishing increase in the bills restricting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning people of the community (LGBTQ+). In this legislative session alone, state legislators have introduced a record 491 proposals to undermine and weaken nondiscrimination laws, limiting access to books and performances like drag shows and blocking medically-necessary and gender-affirming health care.

Nearly half of the bills target our most vulnerable young people, attempting to prevent trans students from participating in school activities like sports, to force teachers to out students, and to censor any in-school discussions of LGBTQ people and issues.