M.M. Volume 01, Issue 10
JUNE 2025
Welcome Pride season! Pride, from its origin, was always a riot against the machine. Our (trans)cestors fought back against communal and systematic violence then and we are still fighting back against the powers that be… just to be. Just like pride, everything personal is political under an imperialist regime like the current federal government. Our experiences of pride and queerness are relative, impacted by conditions and consistently emergent. Regardless of our individual experiences, it is so vital to remember that we are collectively in a shared experience of queerness, transness and defying gender boundaries.
In this critical moment, everything feels urgent and compounding. Like we see in the US vs Skrmetti case, the state uses law to limit people’s ability to live more than it uses law to regenerate life. We all are deceived and forced to believe that we benefit when we are divided and our freedom relies on another community's limitations. We are pushed to think it's either us or them. This framework is an effort to deter us from being in active solidarity, criticizing those in power, calling for accountability and demanding more. At its core, GSA clubs are places for consciousness raising and nurturing ourselves as whole humans, spiritual beings, and engaged citizens of the world. GSA clubs remain a space for connectivity and actualizing our solidarity.
TQ2S youth exist in every state and town across the United States. We belong on this earth as much as any other people. Regardless of what the law says, all young people have the right to self-determination and control of their destinies. This includes academic freedom and expression – codified in the Bill of Rights, but we are witnessing this constitution crumble. And let us remember that, we are not the first in our queer and trans lineage to suffer. The conditions are new but the lessons are embedded in history - so we must learn, move and pivot. Gather with your friends wherever you can - community centers, coffee shops, or public libraries. The goal is to fortify, be nimble and stay ready. With safety in consideration, be creative with the ways you say gay, and don’t stop saying gay either. Pair your community space with resource sharing to meet community needs as best as you can. When everyone shares what we collectively have, we will always have more than enough. In service of supporting local efforts, utilize the Star Freedom School curriculum to lead community discussions. View our Star Freedom School toolkits here:
Inside of freedom movements, summer has played a key role as a season of energizing change. This summer is no different. This pride season, we call on young people to remember that pride is rooted in the deep knowing that we exist, we belong, and we have the right to be the stars that we are. Here and everywhere. Even and especially in Southern states like Texas, who recently approved SB12, banning GSA clubs in the state. We send our immense love and solidarity to Texas GSA clubs as they navigate this terrible news and restructure into another vital space for TQ2S+ youth to gather, support each other, and act together.
We love you, we need you to survive and we’re fighting alongside you.
We love you,
Maya LaFlamme & J. Gia Loving
GSA Network Co-Executive Directors
