August Newsletter

Dear Community,

Pride season has washed over us, and here we are on the other side. Here at the Audre Lorde Project, we've had an eventful month of organizing, educating, holding space, and navigating the inevitable changes that come in the reflective moments in a season of renewal. The sun drenches us, and the weather tempts us back into community; folks are out in the streets, finding each other in the world. Black and Brown bodies are everywhere, finding places to gather and take care of one another, out in public. It's beautiful. It's also a time when concerns about how we stay safe while we're out and about in the world come up. Let's take a moment to consider what we're all doing to love and protect one another out there in the world as the season heats up.

We have some incredible memories of Trans Day of Action to share with you and an interview with Jay Toole, who 50 years prior was in Washington Square Park as the Stonewall riots proceeded. For us at ALP, it was a very poignant moment to have the opportunity to hear from the mouth of someone who was there how much the world has changed for queer people. But the most important part of Jay's statement is that although the struggle has been ameliorated by policy changes, and the media's recharacterization of queer people, it's still killing the most vulnerable among us. And even knowing that our bodies are still under siege, the fact that we continue and gather to hold down our rituals is a testament to the resilience that this community fortifies, in gathering year after year for this empowering capitalism-defying moment.

We want to offer gratitude to everyone who volunteered their time, energy, support and protection to making TDOA a powerful and well attended event. We especially want to highlight the work of supporters from Bronx Defenders and Legal Aid Society who served to de-escalate potentially harmful interactions between police and participants and pull focus to the continual work that TransJustice does. Each and every one of our speakers reminded us that we are here to both continue the work of our movement ancestors, while adapting to inevitable changes and protecting each other from harm as we move into equilibrium with an agile collective vision. 

In July, ALP participated with Communities United for Police Reform, and a coalition of local organizations to address the continued harm caused to communities at risk of experiencing police violence, as evidenced by the state’s lack of just action after the murder of Eric Garner 5 years ago. Following the the fed's decision to not hold the NYPD officer responsible for Eric Garner's death accountable, protestors took to the streets to make sure their voices were heard. Kerbie Joseph, our SOS Coordinator, interviews a participant in this audio clip. ALP provided community safety support at the event, and we continue to demand justice for Eric Garner.

In August, we’ll be celebrating our annual Bed-Stuy Pride together in Herbert Von King Park, an annual event for and by queer and trans communities of color in Brooklyn. We invite you to participate and spread the word. The event will include local vendors, performances, and wellness space for our members and the QTPOC communities of Bedford Stuyvesant.

None of these offerings would be possible without your support. You have found so many ways to build with us, including joining ALP's community safety team, contributing with donations, and sharing our events with your people. We are so grateful for your continual support!

In Solidarity,

Janhavi Pakrashi

Communications Coordinator