Adirondack Diversity Initiative (ADI) News | June 2024 | |
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Around much of the world, June is recognized as LGBTQI+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex) Pride Month to commemorate the many contributions made by the LGBTQI+ community to history, society, and cultures worldwide. Pride was born out of struggle rooted in the Stonewall Riots of June 1969 and activists' fight for dignity long before Stonewall. We love June for both personal and societal reasons. With Pride, Juneteenth, and Loving Day all recognized in this month, June represents the best of our American values.
Pride Month radiates an effervescent spirit of love, acceptance, and self-expression. It serves as a testament to the progress we have made in championing LGBTQIA+ rights but also, as a reminder of the work that remains. Pride embodies the core principles that define our nation—equality, liberty, and justice for all. It showcases the strength of our diversity, illuminating the fact that when we embrace our differences, we become stronger and more vibrant as a community.
Onward,
Tiffany Rea-Fisher, ADI Director and
Melanie Reding, ADI Associate Director
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Learn More
Interested in the history of Pride month or looking for LGBTQI+ resources for your students, or to be a better ally ?
Check out some of these helpful sites:
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Outwords- Milestones in queer history told through elder interviews
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PFLAG- Supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them
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“I'm not missing a minute of this. It's the revolution!”
– Sylvia Rivera.
(Uttered by Latina LGBTQI+ activist Sylvia Rivera, this statement served as a rallying cry for many who were afraid of the violence that occurred at Stonewall.)
"Stonewall Forever"
A Documentary about the Past, Present and Future of Pride
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The only known photograph taken during the first night of the riots, by freelance photographer Joseph Ambrosini, shows gay youth scuffling with police.
Stonewall riots Wikipedia
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Anti-LGBTQI+ Comments
This month is Pride Month, and we've had a stark reminder here in the North Country about why this month is needed. Hate speech is used to dehumanize groups and individuals. It increases discrimination and can incite violence. It is an attack on the very essence of human rights. This happened in our community on May 18, 2024, at a Saranac Lake Red Storm flag football game against the AuSable Valley Patriots. We've included the news stories about this incident rather than paraphrase them. ALL students deserve dignity, respect and safety in and out of school. Our LGBTQI+ students are not receiving that. ADI denounces the comments made by Eric Wilson toward the student-athlete at the game and in his social media posts.
We hope you will read each of these articles and consider the impact hate speech and bullying have on students, families and communities. How will you be an ally and advocate for these students and the LGBTQI+ community?
Please visit the numerous resources listed above in the Learn More section to educate yourself and find ways to support these students and the LGBTQI+ community. You can support the work and find additional resources on Adirondack North Country Gender Alliance's new website.
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Upcoming Events Sponsored by ADI:
Other upcoming events:
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What is ADI Reading/Watching/Listening to?
The fight for gay rights before Stonewall on Before Stonewall by the NPR Podcast Throughline
"Code-switching is a survival tactic, a form of self-expression, and a bridge-building tool that many workers use." How to Navigate the Art of Code-Switching at Work by Lafawn Davis at Fast Company
"Major League Baseball’s embrace of the Negro Leagues is now recognized in the record book," What to know about Negro Leagues stats entering MLB record by Anthony Castrovinc, MLB.com
Country Queers Podcast An oral history project gathering rural & small-town LGBTQIA+ stories since 2013.
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Mildred and Richard Loving in 1967
By Bettmann/Corbis via New York Times Wikipedia
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Loving Day is an annual celebration on June 12th of a historic court decision. The case, Loving vs. Virginia (1967), argued before the Supreme Court, struck down all laws against interracial marriage in the United States.
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Juneteenth
We Stand On Your Shoulders
(Junteenth.com press release)
"The observance of Juneteenth is about the journey and achievement of African Americans – from a horrific period of sanctioned enslavement to the pinnacle of human endeavors. It is a story of pride, resilience and determination that will always be of historical and spiritual importance – as it serves us well to understand that together, we can overcome all obstacles in our path.
As we know it, June 19th 1865, was the day word reached the enslaved in Galveston, Texas that their emancipation had been made formal, though it had been so since January 1, 1863. In that transformative moment, our nation and the world itself changed. And, with bold and often contentious decisions, we have continued to change – striving always to make it right, to make it better for all.
Again, as a nation, we have the opportunity to look back at this century-and-a-half journey of progress. We pay homage to those who have gone before us, those that have paved the road to freedom – many with their lives. We stand on your shoulders today. We, as a collective, from all walks of life, are a part of this victory. As we celebrate freedom, we commemorate their spirit. "
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“Juneteenth means so much to me. It represents the freedom that my ancestors fought so tirelessly for. But rather than focusing on the brutalization of my people then and now. I choose to focus on hope. June 19th reminds me that I am the force of power to change this world and to follow in the footsteps of my ancestors to work towards liberation."
~ Mariah Cooley
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World Refugee Day
World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honor refugees around the globe. It falls on 20 June each year and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.
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In support of World Refugee Day, enjoy this short film by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and YouTube, that challenges stereotypes about refugees by focusing on what unites us rather than what sets us apart. You can view the other two We Were Here videos here. | |
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Keeley Jock, ANCA's Climate Justice Fellow, is highlighted in a recent story in the Adirondack Explorer and Albany Times Union.
How Traditional Ecological Knowledge is Shaping Adirondack Research
by Chloe Bennett
"For decades, the Adirondack Park has housed piles of scientific research on its natural systems. Academic scientists and independent researchers use the park to survey water, forests, animals and more for insights into the constitutionally protected land. But a reckoning with the United States’ past is reshaping the way some think about science.
Two convenings of scientists and educators spotlighted Indigenous voices this month in the High Peaks. Their messages called for respect of traditional knowledge and history, and its inclusion in the broader scientific conversation."
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Support the Adirondack Diversity Initiative
ADI exists at the intersection of environmental and transformational justice, working to make the Adirondacks a more welcoming and inclusive place for both residents and visitors while ensuring a vital and sustainable Adirondack Park for future generations.
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Become an ANCA Member
ANCA members are growing our region’s New Economy by building strong, resilient systems for local food, clean energy and small business. As home of the Adirondack Diversity Initiative, ANCA is committed to advancing equity and inclusion in the Adirondack North Country.
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