Today, many of those businesses, some of which have relationships with Fowlkes and the Center, have already begun finding ways to pair Pride with Juneteenth. For some, it became imperative because they had members of their workforce calling for some form of action. “It means now that our issues have to be intertwined-LGBTQ rights and stories of Black LGBTQ folks become intertwined in a very strategic way.”įowlkes points out that over the last two years, corporations and businesses began recognizing Pride Month as a means to an end. “I see it as our ancestors moving on our behalf,” he said. There is an opportunity with Juneteenth and Pride Month to educate and share stories. It is more than celebrating rainbow capitalism, the parties we attend, or the opportunity to express sexual freedom.”Įarl Fowlkes, President, and CEO of the Center for Black Equity agrees. It is up to us to imagine what Juneteenth is nationally. “I will not use Juneteenth to buy sheets from Macy's and cups from Target.
“For southern states, Juneteenth has primarily been about telling the story of enslaved people’s freedom,” he said. But for Black LGBTQ+ folks, this is a great time to talk about intersectionality. During the civil rights movement, Juneteenth began experiencing a sort of resurgence which has continued through Biden’s signed order, declaring it a federal holiday.įor Lipscomb, rainbow capitalism, as he describes it, suggests that through some kind of major financial impact, we are to celebrate this thing we call LGBTQ liberation.
The origins of Juneteenth can be found in Galveston, Texas, where Union soldiers informed enslaved Africans that they were free two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act in June 2021. “My approach on Juneteenth is to use that as an educational moment.” “I resist it,” said Curtis Lipscomb, LGBT Detroit Executive Director. While some members of the LGBTQ community welcome the Pride corporate support, with the addition of Juneteenth as a national holiday, there is a refusal to jump on the corporate support bandwagon for the new federally recognized commemoration. Pride Month-recognized in June in honor of the 1969 Stonewall Riots-has become heightened, in some respects, because of the support of corporations like Apple, Nike, and the like. This has especially been true with Pride Month over the past few years. For more information, contact us at OUTGeorgia.Corporations jump at the opportunity to capitalize on cultural moments.
OUT Georgia Business Alliance is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., and is a proud affiliate of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce.
Since 1994, OUT Georgia Business Alliance (formerly the Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce) has served the LGBTQ+ and Allied business community by advocating for the most inclusive and equitable business environment providing support and resources to fuel economic growth and driving meaningful community connections and impact across the State of Georgia. OUT Georgia Business Alliance proudly serves as Georgia’s only LGBTQ+ and Allied Chamber of Commerce. More Information: /e/thrive-sunday-funday-black-gay-pride-brunch-tickets-166334518021 THRIVE Sunday Funday Black Gay Pride Brunch Taste Of EBANMAN: Business Networking Social “The Category is… DIVERSITY” Fashion Show
Location: Atlanta Marriott Suites Midtown If you’d like to suggest any additions to the list below, contact August 30, 2021Ģnd Annual Mayor of Atlanta’s Black Pride ReceptionĪARP’s Atlanta Black Pride Weekend 2021 Virtual Kickoff Please connect with each organization or event to learn more about health and safety precautions. As Atlanta prepares for Black Gay Pride, OUT Georgia Business Alliance would like to highlight the celebrations and events you’ll find during the lead into Labor Day Weekend 2021.