A History of Protest

Q: I’ve been following the Black Lives Matter protests, and I noticed that a lot of LGBTQ people, and LGBTQ organizations, have gotten involved. Is there a reason for that? 

A: There are a few reasons why you’re likely to find many LGBTQ people in activist movements, including the current Black Lives Matter protest sweeping the nation (and the world).

But first, I do want to acknowledge that the LGBTQ community is not immune to subtle—and more outright—forms of racism. It’s not uncommon to see requests like “no Asians” on dating profiles or to see white LGBTQ people treat their Black peers like they’re some exotic mystery rather than a person with feelings. Being part of the LGBTQ community doesn’t automatically make someone an activist. 

Back to your initial question, despite the pitfalls within our community, many LGBTQ people do advocate for many forms of social justice. 

The LGBTQ community is very diverse. There are LGBTQ people of every race, ethnicity, religion, and ability level, so opposing policies and beliefs that negatively impact those groups affects us, too. Because of discrimination—by both society and, for some, family members—LGBTQ people also face higher rates of poverty and homelessness, which makes employment protections and other social services important. Again, being queer or trans doesn’t automatically make someone an activist, but we generally understand how much social injustice affects daily life, so we feel called to do what we can to reduce those injustices for all people.

That said, many LGBTQ people aren’t solely drawn to the Black Lives Matter movement to support Black LGBTQ people (which is important in itself, given how frequently Black trans women are murdered in this country). Black people in the US, and LGBTQ people of all races, share a history of being unfairly targeted by law enforcement.

The Stonewall Riot in 1969 that turned into what we now know as Pride Month wasn’t about marriage equality or employment protections. The riot started as a protest against the abuse LGBTQ people suffered at the hands of police. It was a protest against a legal system that declared same-gender relationships unlawful. 

While our past isn’t an exact equivalent to the profiling, targeted harassment, and police brutality faced by Black citizens today, this shared history of struggle and profiling draws many LGBTQ people into the Black Lives Matter movement. We know what it’s like to be treated unfairly, and to face violence, because of who we are, and many of us work hard to try to break down those prejudices and broken systems.