It’s San Francisco Pride’s 50th Anniversary! But it won’t be the party planners imagined a year or even four months ago. The COVID pandemic means no huge parade up Market Street and no public parties. And the continued killings of Black people—many at the hands of law enforcement — have resulted in nationwide protests demanding racial justice and real police reform in this country.    

Although less well known, the deaths of at least 15 transgender or gender non-conforming people in the first five months of 2020 have also highlighted the disproportionately high rates of violence affecting transgender women of color—particularly Black transgender women—and have resulted in the queer community examining its own racism, misogyny and transphobia.     

While the focus of this year’s Pride has definitely shifted, there are still things to celebrate, including the recent Supreme Court ruling confirming that the 1964 Civil Rights Act protects gay and transgender people from workplace discrimination. On this week’s Out in the Bay, Eric Jansen speaks with current and past San Francisco Pride presidents on what we’re celebrating, what still needs to be done and ways to participate. We’ll also hear from the president of Out@Comcast on employee resource groups (ERGs) and the complicated relationship between Pride and corporate sponsors.    

The Human Rights Campaign has more information on the violence experienced by transgender and gender non-conforming people and you can help support change by donating to Black trans organizations here and by learning more at Color of Change, recommended by our guests this week.

Guests:
Cecilia Chung, Director of Evaluation and Strategic Initiatives at the Transgender Law Center; San Francisco Pride President in 2001
Carolyn Wysinger, current San Francisco Pride President
Jacqueline Chiang, San Francisco Market Development Manager at Comcast

Plan Your Pride:

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