Sierra Club
Pride is a time of joy and celebration for many in the Sierra Club community. It is a season observed around the world for people who identify as LGBTQ to publicly celebrate their identities and come together with allies. This year as we celebrate, we are also reflecting on the special meaning that Pride has for us in the wake of the shockingly violent and tragic mass shooting that took place at Pulse, an LGBTQ nightclub in Orlando, Florida.We asked people from the Sierra Club community to reflect on the question: What does Pride mean to you, in the shadow of Orlando?
“Pride becomes more and more important to me every day. I do not want people to be afraid of being proud after Orlando. My own Indigenous LGBTQ community is often very wary of being proud and I do not want to be part of the problem. I have been more open since Orlando about my pride as a bisexual person.”
Thomas Pearce, Senior Organizing Representative, based in Louisville, KY
“In the darkest moments after Orlando, Pride means never giving up and not losing hope. I think of our youth and want us all to grow in a world full of love, free from fear.”
Hamilton Leong, Controller, based in Oakland, CA
“For me, Pride has always been about the energy and power and commitment and caring our community builds when we all come together. We need all of that after Orlando -- the celebration of Pride has never been more important.”
Alison Horton, Senior Regional Organizing Director, based in Traverse City, MI
“Pride is about people coming together to celebrate and build community. Times like these, when our community is under attack, are when we need Pride the most. It has meant so much to me to be able to celebrate Pride with my LGBTQ family, and allies, and to know that we are strong and resilient even in the face of hate.”
Nellis Kennedy-Howard, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, soon to be based in Oakland, CA
“To me, Pride is a celebration of human beings in all of their glory. Like Black History Month and Women’s History Month, Pride Month was initiated in response to oppression to highlight the struggles and celebrate the strength and diversity of the LGBTQ community. Pride has a special meaning to me in light of the tragedy in Orlando, because it underscored the indomitable courage and resilience of the community, and brought people together from across the rainbow spectrum, especially highlighting that we are all family, drawing the community tighter.”
Dawna Knapp, Local Entities Outreach Systems, based in Oakland, CA