SAFS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Blog

June 16, 2022

Celebrating Pride Month and Juneteenth

June brings with it not only the start of summer but also two important celebrations: LGBTQ+ Pride and Juneteenth. Keep reading below for more information and resources for this month.

Pride Month

In the United States, the month of June is recognized as Pride Month, a month celebrating the vibrancy and resilience of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities. June was chosen to commemorate the Stonewall Uprising, a formative event at the beginning of the Gay Liberation movement, which has since evolved into the current fight for LGBTQ+ rights. On June 28, 1969, New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a well known gay bar, but instead of submitting to the routine indignities of such raids, the queer and trans patrons fought back. The riots evolved into more organized protests for gay and lesbian rights and continued on and off for weeks. One year later, the first Pride march was held to celebrate what happened at Stonewall and how queer activism continued afterward.

When the Stonewall Uprising took place, queer and trans folks were criminalized, subject to laws that made it illegal to wear articles of clothing for the “opposite” gender, have consensual sex with another adult of the same gender, and even to dance with someone of the same gender. The expansion of LGBTQ+ rights and societal acceptance in the the past decades has been extraordinary: the US decriminalized consensual same-sex relationships and legalized same-sex marriage, and many states have passed laws prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation in schools, employment, housing, and healthcare. Unfortunately, there’s been a backlash in the past few years and many states are passing anti-trans and anti-queer laws—many targeting trans youth.

To learn more, listen to podcast episode “The Stonewall Uprising” from You’re Wrong About. Another excellent podcast episode relevant to queer history is “A White Horse” from The Memory Palace. The UW College of Arts and Sciences has put together a list of book recommendations for Pride. For something a little more practical, check out the SAFS Pronoun Guide, released earlier this year by the SAFS Equity and Inclusion Committee. If you’re looking for something to do, the Whole U has compiled a list of “Events & Activities to Celebrate Pride Month”. If you’re looking for more community and resources, check out the Q Center, which has information about resources both on and off campus; 500 Queer Scientists, a visibility campaign for LGBTQ+ folks in STEM fields; and the Aquatic Sciences Queer and Trans Affinity Group (more information here, under “Current DEI Activities”), which works to increase visibility of LGBTQIA2+ individuals and identities in environmental science fields through educational events and offers a space to build relationships. Finally, the SAFS Diversity Specialist, Michael Martínez, is always delighted to talk about gender and sexuality and welcomes your questions.

Juneteenth

Juneteenth commemorates the date of June 19, 1865, when information about the Emancipation Proclamation (issued over two years earlier) finally reached Texas and the enslaved people there were finally liberated. It is sometimes called “Black Independence Day”. Historically, Juneteenth was mostly celebrated by Black folks in Texas, but awareness of the holiday grew after the uprisings for racial justice in the summer of 2020. It’s the newest federal holiday in the US, only a year old, and it is an important recognition of both the resilience of Black folks in the US and of the continued injustices perpetuated by institutions grounded in white supremacy. The Whole U has an excellent post titled “Juneteenth: Washington’s newest official holiday”, which links to ways to learn more, celebrate the holiday, and support nonprofits serving Black communities. Local activist, community leader, and executive director of Creative Justice Nikkita Oliver has written a thoughtful piece on how non-Black folks can donate the money earned from their paid time off to Black communities as a form of Economic Justice.

Some organizations supporting Black folks in aquatic sciences include:

  • Black in Marine Science (BIMS): “We are a premier organization aimed to celebrate Black marine scientists, spread environmental awareness and inspire the next generation of scientific thought leaders.”
  • Black Women in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Science (BWEEMS): “We want to provide a network for creativity that embraces diverse perspectives and equitable collaboration. We want to drive scientific innovation and excellence for Black women in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Science.”
  • Minorities in Shark Science: “MISS provides a community and funding opportunities for women of color who wish to enter the field of shark sciences. We aim to show that there are many women of color succeeding in and interested in this field.”
  • Sea Potential: “Sea Potential cultivates a full cycle of Black Indigenous People Of Color representation in maritime. Through healing activities and ocean justice conversations, we focus on fostering youth appreciation and connection to marine ecosystems, in addition to transforming the maritime industry with inclusive workplace culture.”

For those in the Seattle area, there are many local observances this weekend, including:

SAFS wishes everyone a happy Pride and a happy Juneteenth!