Happy Pride Month! Pride started as a riot in 1969 led by trans, black woman Martha P. Johnson. She stated, “There can be no pride for some of us without liberation for all of us.” As much as all queer people would love for pride to be solely a celebration of our lives, we cannot celebrate while laws are being made to harm our community. In 2021 alone, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has signed at least five anti-trans bills. This “slate of hate,” as titled by the Human Rights Campaign, must be stopped.
The trans community in Chattanooga has come together to start the Chattanooga Trans Liberation Collective to fight these hateful bills. The bills specifically target trans youth in schools and sports and trans people of all ages in using a gendered bathroom. The first action of the collective will be to host a rally on July 18 from 2-4 p.m. at Coolidge Park. The event will include local trans speakers, music and readings of queer children’s books. Please come out to support and fight for trans Tennesseans!
Sarah Mack