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This content is written by Ernesto Chon Soto, recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Superior who directed LGBTQ+ Programming at the Gender Equity Resource Center during his time there. He is providing a perspective on the Philadelphia pride flag, information about which can be found here. As a Queer Person of Color (QPOC), I want to provide a nonwhite perspective regarding Philly's Pride Flag. Philadelphia's Office of LGBT Affairs action was honest and daring. I appreciated their efforts to combat the on-going racial and ethnic discrimination within the community. However, this flag does not represent me. This is a flag that was imposed by a handful of individuals without the input of the QPOC community. This flag was created for Philadelphia Pride by a local advertising company called tierney. Though the director, Amber Hikes, of Philadelphia's Office of LGBT Affairs is QPOC, she does not represent the community. She is in position to serve the community to further promote equity and visibility. She is not the community. The pride flag is a token that symbolizes unity in regards to our wide array of Identities (excluding race and ethnic background). Philly's Flag has change the meaning of our token flag. If it were to be used universally then it would be excluding individuals who do not have a racial or an ethnic background. Philly's Flag demonstrates unity of our wide array of identities AND POC. I find that Philly's Flag can be used to put QPOC in a category but what is the point if it promotes exclusion? Amber took a daring step that was fundamentally miscalculated by mystery and lack of guidance. Overall, this is why I refrain from accepting such monstrosity. Side Note: I know that Amber was not the only individual pushing this initiative. Also, I do not speak for QPOC community but for myself My name is Jewleah Johnson and I'm one of 3 current board members of the Prism Community organization. I identify as genderfluid and my pronouns are they/them/theirs. A few years ago I realized that, since graduating from UW-Superior, I had not found an organization that acted as my second home like the Gender Equity Resource Center had during my studies. I was far too old for the Together for Youth group with Lutheran Social Service, but also too young to officially join the GLBT Elders group. I no longer had ties to any university groups in the area, and with the Northland Gay Men's Center and Aurora Lesbian Center closing their doors, there wasn't a physical place to go to find other people like me. This struggle has been echoed by others in the community as well. This is where the idea for Prism came together. There were many others in the area who wished to connect across the bridges between Duluth and Superior, across identities and group affiliations, and between the host of groups which hold similar aspirations and goals. If we are able to join together, keep track of local LGBTQ+ events for Duluth/Superior, and have regular meetings to update on what we're all doing in the community, we have a real chance at creating something beneficial for the Northland LGBTQ+ community. We will be posting our upcoming events here on our public events calendar, sharing community perspectives through blog posts, and checking in with organizations and individuals in order to stay current on the ever-shifting needs of our populations. If you'd like to join the group, add yourself to our emailing list on our Contact page for updates. You can also find our Facebook page, comment on these blog posts, or call us. We hope to serve this community and aid in the creation of spaces where we all may feel welcome and heard. |
AuthorsPrism community's blog is a combined effort of many writers., artists, community members, etc. Archives
October 2017
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