12 June 1-7, 2023 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times | music | cafe | culture | Night+Day | News | letters | coNteNts | Month XX–Month XX, 2008 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | ART | STAGE | NIGHT+DAY | METRO | RIPTIDE | LETTERS | CONTENTS | BY J O S E D . D U R A N M ore than a decade has passed since President Barack Obama pro- claimed June as Lesbian, Gay, Bi- sexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, yet this June, instead of upholding and expanding upon time-honored Pride traditions and celebrations, Floridi- ans are bracing themselves for unwanted governmental intervention. Following Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signing of SB 1438, an implicitly anti-drag state senate bill that holds businesses accountable for admitting “a child to an adult live performance,” Tampa Pride canceled its annual Pride on the River event for fear that DeSantis would “come in with his Gestapo,” while the Pride Alliance of the Treasure Coast canceled its parade and restricted admission to its Pridefest events to those 21 and older. Florida-based sociologist Robert Baez says if you’ve been waiting for the right moment to show your sup- port for Florida’s LGBTQ community, the time is now. “The governor is doing everything he can to elevate his platform, making life extremely difficult for trans people especially. Florida has a history of political per- secution under the guise of sex panic. This is no differ- ent, and the record will show that. Showing up for LGBTQ people right now is important,” Baez says. “People should support their local LGBTQ organiza- tions because they make a direct and tangible impact. They can support them in ways like donating, volun- teering, or advocating for social change.” The history and inception of American Pride movements feel especially relevant this year, Baez says, as DeSantis’ actions more closely mirror the state- sanctioned censorship and violence faced by those who fought for LGBTQ visibility and rights more than a half-century ago. “While the Stonewall riots have become synonymous with Pride parades, they are far from the first case of queer and trans people resisting state violence,” Baez says. “Christopher Street Liberation Day was organized in 1970 to commemorate the Stonewall Riots in New York City — another was held in Los Angeles. These were grassroots mobilizations that, over time, have be- come mainstream spectacles. As we enter Pride this year, it’s helpful to keep in mind this history as the governor aims to ban these mobilizations altogether.” Baez, who has presented and published research on the politics of Pride, grassroots movements to reclaim Pride, and Florida’s queer history, recalls his experience volun- teering for one South Florida LGBTQ organization as a pivotal moment in both his professional and personal life. “Back in 2014, I interned at YES Institute, where I helped facilitate community dialogues on topics of gen- der and sexuality, so they hold a special place in my life experience,” he says. “Interning at YES Institute showed me the value of communication across differences.” By no means a complete list, below are eight South Florida-based LGBTQ organizations to support during Pride month, or better yet, year-round: Aqua Foundation aquafoundation.org For the past two decades, Aqua Foundation has sup- ported South Florida women in the LGBTQ community through initiatives like grants and scholarships. The Aqua Scholarship Program, which is open to any and all LGBTQ women, nonbinary, transgender, and intersex students pursuing an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree, pairs students with mentors and pro- vides support for both tuition and leadership develop- ment. Each year, Aqua hosts Family Connections, a free, family-friendly, LGBTQ barbecue at Virginia Key Beach Park with the aim of creating community among South Florida’s queer families and allies. Essential Haus instagram.com/essentialhauss The Miami-based nonprofit organization works toward opening an LGBTQ-safe shelter for victims of domestic violence and homelessness. Founder Timothy McLemore was inspired to create Essential Haus fol- lowing his experiences in South Florida seeking safe space from a domestically violent, same-sex relation- ship. “The statistics certainly show that domestic vio- lence occurs just as much, and sometimes, more frequently, in LGBTQ relationships compared to heter- onormative relationships — it’s just something that’s hardly spoken about,” he says. “Along with our imper- fect justice system, sometimes authorities don’t take same-sex, domestic violence issues that seriously be- cause it’s male-on-male or female-on-female.” Current offerings at Essential Haus include monthly healing cir- cles for LGBTQ survivors of intimate partner and do- mestic violence. Latinos Salud latinossalud.org With four wellness clinics across Miami-Dade County of- fering walk-in services and appointments, Latinos Salud provides culturally competent LGBTQ health services, screenings, and education. Services offered include test- ing for HIV, hepatitis C, and sexually transmitted dis- eases; PrEP enrollment; and vaccinations for monkeypox, meningitis, and hepatitis A. Latinos Salud’s Health and Support Services Pride scholarship program provides Pridelines is devoted to supporting South Florida's LGBTQ youth. Pridelines photo Support Systems South Florida LGBTQ organizations are helping the community year-round. “People should support their local LGBTQ organizations because they make a direct and tangible impact.” >> p14
