Post submitted by former HRC Digital Media Manager Helen Parshall

More and more, community-specific Pride festivals -- or “affinity Prides” -- are popping up across the country as a way to celebrate the identities of LGBTQ people that too often go unseen, or are erased in the media and in our own communities.

These Prides provide an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the depth and breadth of the diversity of our communities --  from bisexual and transgender people to LGBTQ people of color, and those at the intersections of multiple identities.

Especially now, it’s vital that LGBTQ people and friends come together, remember the struggles we’ve faced and celebrate how far we’ve come. Affinity Prides are an important opportunity to recognize that not everyone within the LGBTQ community has experienced our victories in the same way and benefited from that progress. 

For LGBTQ people who hold multiple marginalized identities, the compounding impact of multiple systems of oppression is real and can be devastating. We have to center their voices and stories as we look to the work that remains in the fight for full equality.

Our rallying cry this year is People. Power. Pride. — because it’s people like you who celebrate your pride in your individuality that give our fight for equality its power.

Last year, HRC was involved in more than 30 affinity Prides, and this year that number continues to grow. HRC members and supporters will be at nearly 50 affinity Prides around the U.S. 

Here are a few highlights from events that have already happened and some we’re looking forward to: 

1. West Hollywood Bisexual Pride, September 2018

Thank you to all who joined @HRC Los Angeles, The City of West Hollywood, @ACLU_SoCal, and @amBiSocial as we hosted not just the City’s first Bi Pride, but the First City-Sponsored Bi Pride in the World! It was such an amazing day seeing the community come together to celebrate. pic.twitter.com/2DbumId47z

— HRC Los Angeles (@HRCLosAngeles) September 25, 2018

2. Mi Existir Es Resistir, May 2019

.@HRC was proud to be a part of the 2019 National Encuentro - mi existir es resistir in Philadelphia this weekend. #MiExistirEsResistir2019 pic.twitter.com/nz3KDSo7Ue

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) May 20, 2019

3. Mohave Pride Festival, June 2019

#Pride2019 is here! ❤️������������@HRCaz was excited to join our community for #MohavePride2019. Find us next at #BisbeePride on June 15 ��➡️ https://t.co/kFwNpns9nj pic.twitter.com/8iKBat8oBg

— HRC in Arizona (@HRCaz) June 10, 2019

4. Los Angeles Trans Pride, June 2019

We had a great time celebrating Trans Pride with the LA LGBT Center this past weekend! pic.twitter.com/4L67LKZrZo

— HRC Los Angeles (@HRCLosAngeles) June 18, 2019

5. Detroit Black Pride: Hotter than July, COMING SOON

#PRIDE IS HAPPENING. Join @HRC_MI as we celebrate #Pride2019:

❤️ June 1: Ferndale
�� June 8: Detroit
�� June 8: Kalamazoo
�� June 12: Royal Oaks
�� June 15: Grand Rapids
�� June 15: Lansing
�� July 27: Hotter than July
https://t.co/NAf2PQBaIK

— HRC in Michigan (@HRC_MI) May 31, 2019

June may be almost over, but the celebrations continue. Find HRC at a Pride near you by visiting hrc.org/Pride.