I got TWO Governor’s Proclamations!
On Sunday, June 18th, during BaBEC’s Juneteenth Fire Island weekend I had the honor of being presented with TWO Governor's Proclomation's for the work that I've done to advocate for Black LGBTQ+ equity & advocacy on Fire Island.
Thank you to Chanel J. Lopez, the Deputy Director of LGBTQ+ Affairs for Governor Kathy Hochul, for coming to Fire Island to make this presentation and to participate in the festivities that the Black and Brown Equity Coalition of Fire Island curated for the weekend.
I am grateful for the continued accolades that myself and this organization receive from OFF-ISLAND entities. However, there is still pushback to our work and existence ON-ISLAND. Why is that?
It's because what we're doing is new, effective, and loud. It's because we are disruptive thinkers in a place where people prefer things to be the way they've always been. It's because we directly speak up for Black & transgender people and don't cloak it behind the word "diversity." It's because every time anyone tries to silence us, we find a new microphone.
Time has taught us that people who are adverse to change get left behind. Thank you to everyone who has supported BaBEC in becoming THE FUTURE OF FIRE ISLAND.
photos by Sidewalkkilla
