This Year Showcases a New Level of Recognition for Transgender and Nonbinary Individuals at Pride

Kara Murphy, a transgender woman contributing to the organization of Union County Pride, located in a Charlotte suburb in North Carolina, expresses a sense of encouragement as Pride festivities across the nation, from metropolitan areas to small towns, are notably highlighting transgender rights this year.

“Witnessing those who are advocating for us provides a glimpse into the momentum of the movement,” she commented.

This year, various Pride events are highlighting transgender individuals through prominent roles, like acting as grand marshals at the massive New York City Pride parade or featuring a photographic tribute to transgender victims of violence at smaller gatherings like the one in Hastings, Nebraska. They’re making a public declaration against state legislation that negatively targets transgender individuals.

A number of Prides are placing transgender individuals prominently in events where they’ve historically been marginalized due to an entrenched focus on gay and lesbian rights, coupled with biases and misunderstandings about trans lives held by many straight, cisgender individuals.

The escalation of new legislation and policies, such as limitations on gender-affirming care, public restroom access, and sports participation, has catalyzed Pride organizers to further embrace a portion of the LGBTQ+ community that hasn’t consistently felt included.

Despite the crucial roles trans activists have played in the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights, “the broader LGBTQ movement has frequently overlooked or even deliberately suppressed the voices of trans and nonbinary individuals,” says Kierra Johnson, executive director of the National LGBTQ Task Force, in a recent email.

Johnson emphasizes, “Elevating trans voices and campaigning for trans liberation must take precedence in our movement,” particularly when the rights of transgender and nonbinary individuals are “being systematically attacked.”

Jonathan Swindle, organizer of Pride in Corpus Christi, Texas, spoke about the increasing pressure on transgender rights, saying, “We are deliberately standing with and supporting those who are transgender, as we recognize that their rights are being threatened.” Recently, Republican Governor Greg Abbott signed a law prohibiting gender-affirming treatments for minors, making Texas the most populous state to impose such a ban, a measure also enacted in at least 20 other states.

This year, according to Swindle, acts of solidarity include showcasing the transgender flag in blue, pink, and white, producing Pride T-shirts solely in pink and blue, engaging trans advocacy groups in events, and providing resources for trans individuals, including legal assistance for gender marker changes.

In contrast to last year’s more festive atmosphere, Swindle admits this year feels different with its sense of “electricity in the air” due to the increased attention on advocacy rather than celebration. Despite this, he assures the young generation that support and resources are available.

Pride celebrations across the U.S. are utilizing the annual event, typically held in June in honor of the 1969 Stonewall rebellion — an uprising notably led by trans women of color — to demonstrate their backing of transgender individuals.

In Reading, Pennsylvania, rather than having a parade, Enrique Castro Jr., Pride organizer, announced plans for a march that will honor both the trans community and drag performers. Additionally, a rally will follow where Dr. Ashley Grant, a specialist in gender-affirming care, will address and join the group on a march to her clinic.

New York City Pride, with this year’s theme “Strength in Solidarity,” has chosen representatives from the trans community as some of the grand marshals of the June 25 parade. AC Dumlao, a transgender, nonbinary Filipino American and the chief of staff for Athlete Ally, an organization advocating for LGBTQ+ and intersex athletes, is one of the grand marshals. They seize this opportunity to highlight the nationwide struggle, especially noting the bans on trans athletes’ participation in school sports in almost half the

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Transgender Rights at Pride Events

More about Transgender Rights at Pride Events

• Transgender Rights
• Understanding Gender
• History of Pride Parade
• LGBTQ+ Advocacy
• Transgender Athletes Rights