Soul City Institute’s Post

We support LGBTQIA+ Pride every month, but June is a month for special celebration. We start the month where it all began, in New York City. The first Gay Pride March, held on the first anniversary of the Stonewall riots, is often seen as a fork in the road. Down one path lay the familiar guilt and shame of the past. Down the other lay a new movement toward pride, for both individuals and the community. The theme for NYC Pride 2024 is “Reflect. Empower. Unite.” It invites all of us, regardless of whether we’re in New York or elsewhere, whether we’re Queer ourselves or allies, to think of each moment as a potentially pivotal one, when we can: 🌈reflect on past struggles, 🌈empower one another, and 🌈unite against the forces that oppose LGBTQIA+ existence. We have progressed past a time when both popular opinion and the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) classified homosexuality as mental illness (!!!). In fact, we’ve come a long way, baby, and that’s surely something to celebrate. There are still miles to go, though, and plenty we can do to empower and unite. It starts with each of us. Join us all month long in Pride celebration and support! #pride2024 #equality #foodserviceindustry #foodservicewomensalliance #pavingitforward #support #loveislove #lovewins

One of the biggest desires as a mom to a biracial child is that she feels free to navigate her own identity. But I can see, based on the backlash VP Harris is receiving, that getting her there is going to be an uphill battle. Find out why and what I think we can do differently in my blog post this week. Link to post in the comments. #workingmom #inclusion #womenofcolor #womenleaders #womeninleadership #businessgrowth

Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance, and I know a lot of people don't quite know how to engage with it. When we talk about lives lost and the real violence many trans+ people face every day, we're often told to 'lighten up' or focus on the positives — as though acknowledging the pain means having a 'persecution complex.' If we don't talk about our pain, they don't have to search themselves for culpability. But here's the truth: no life, no matter how privileged or fulfilling, is 100% joy. And yet, when trans+ people grieve, we're told to keep it quiet because it makes others uncomfortable. Why should we have to hide our grief just because it’s unpalatable? Yes, there are uplifting stories of resilience, community, and love. Trans+ joy is real. Those stories matter. But so does the truth about the systemic harms we face. Transgender Day of Remembrance isn’t about spinning positivity; it’s about honouring lives stolen from us and recognising the realities we must navigate daily. It’s about naming violence so it can’t be ignored. It’s about bearing witness so no one is forgotten. It’s about holding space for the full complexity of trans+ lives — our joy, yes, but also our pain, and our fight for something better. As I reflect today, I carry grief, but I also carry a commitment: to document, to remember, and to work toward a world where trans+ people don’t have to justify their right to live freely and safely. If you’re observing this day, I see you. If you’re struggling to engage, I understand you. And if you’ve lost someone, I mourn with you. We deserve to remember. We deserve to be remembered.

Feminism is not about hating men; it's about dismantling stereotypes, challenging biases, and advocating for equality. Let's embrace a more inclusive understanding of feminism, one that encourages dialogue, collaboration, and mutual respect. What's your take on feminism? Comment below! #EmpoweredAndEducated

Do you want to be a LGBT - Ally ? 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️⚧️ This Allyship guide will help you with an effective strategy to support the LGBT - community. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️⚧️ #LGBT-Great #Allyshipguide #tangiblestrategy

This holiday season, your spending can make a meaningful impact. Here are five reasons to support queer-owned businesses — during the holidays and throughout the year. 1️⃣ You want your spending to reflect your values. 2️⃣ You care about keeping queer people in business. 3️⃣ You're looking for inclusive and affirming products and services. 4️⃣ You believe in building a more equitable future. 5️⃣ You believe marginalized communities deserve more representation. Every purchase helps uplift queer businesses and strengthens our community. 🌈 💬 Who are your favorite queer-owned businesses? Tag them below so we can support them together! #LGBTQBusinessOwner #LGBTBusinessOwners #QueerOwned #QueerOwnedBusiness #LGBTQOwned #QueerOwnedBusinesses #LGBTQBusiness #LGBTQBusinesses #ShopQueer

🇺🇸🇺🇸Happy 4th Friends- I have something spicy for you to read over 🇺🇸🇺🇸 As we celebrate the 4th of July, let's take a moment to reflect on the future of our democracy. Have you heard about Project 2025? This 920-page blueprint for the next conservative administration is something we all need to be aware of. 🚨Here are some key points: • Dismantling federal agencies and expanding presidential power • Removing job protections for thousands of government employees • Scaling back Medicare, Social Security, and other social services • Reversing climate change policies and boosting fossil fuels • Restricting abortion access and LGBTQ+ rights This plan could fundamentally reshape our government and society. As we enjoy our barbecues and fireworks, let's remember that preserving our democracy requires constant vigilance. It's our responsibility to use our platforms - professional and social - to spread awareness about what's potentially ahead. We can't truly celebrate freedom without understanding the challenges it faces. This Independence Day, I encourage you to look into Project 2025. Knowledge is power, and staying informed is crucial to protecting the liberties we hold dear. #DOTHEWORK #VOTE #TELLAFRIEND #USEYOURVOICE #PROJECT2025 With love and urgency, Mike 🫂🇺🇸✊🏽

🏳️🌈 October is LGBTQIA2+ History Month! 🏳️⚧️ As we celebrate the incredible contributions of the LGBTQIA2+ community, it’s important to remember that this month isn’t just about reflecting on the past but also about shaping a future built on inclusion, equity, and respect. Understanding the history of this movement helps us recognize the #strength and #courage of those who have fought—and continue to fight—for #equality. Their #bravery reminds us that progress is never a straight line, and #allyship means showing up not just in moments of celebration, but in everyday actions and advocacy. Let’s take this opportunity to: 🌈 Honor the trailblazers who have paved the way for change. 🌈 Educate ourselves and others on the significance of LGBTQIA2+ rights. 🌈 Stand as allies, creating spaces where everyone feels safe, valued, and heard. Together, we can continue the work of creating a world where everyone can live authentically and without fear. #LGBTQIA2HistoryMonth #InclusionMatters #DiversityAndEquity #Allyship #HumanRights

As we continue our #WomensHistoryMonth journey, we introduce Unit Four: Intersectional Feminism - a deeper dive into privilege, oppression, and the heart of activism. 💪🏽🌍 #Intersectionality #SocialJustice #StandTogether Units found on our Wakelet page: https://lnkd.in/gT62mzJ3