SisTers PGH, a nonprofit founded and operated by Black, Pittsburgh-grown transwomxn and femmes, has been organizing the People’s Pride PGH March and Music Festival every year since
2017. It was created to uplift Black, trans and nonbinary folks who have for too long been segregated and abused by the Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh.

Each year, we march to include local nonprofits, unions and community members. We march to oppose white-, cis-, gay-centered Pride parades and extravagant parties, which are too expensive for many nonprofits and communities to participate in. We march to offer another opportunity to feel what being at a true Pittsburgh Pride can feel like.

This year, in 2021, People’s Pride PGH will be celebrated June 18-20 and will be centered around the theme “Reclaiming Pittsburgh Pride.” Now more than ever, TLGBQIA+ and other marginalized communities must stand together, firmly rooted in equity and radical honesty, and take back the celebration of our lives.

We are proud to be partnering with the Pittsburgh Equality Center to bring other leaders, organizations, and allies to the table, to not only work together on supporting this year’s virtual events but future Pittsburgh Pride celebrations as well.

This is the time to tell our own stories. This is the time to rebuild, refocus, and organize as a collective force while ensuring out TLGBQIA+ community is supported in the Pride movement. We hope to see you in attendance in a virtual world your organization can interact with People's Pride visitors from all across the world during our Virtual Platforms.

June 18th 2021 - Self Care Day - Care Packages will be mailed out to registered Pride Attendees
June 19th 2021 - LGBTQ Pittsburgh's Best Award Ceremony
June 20th 2021 - Pittsburgh Pride Virtual Parade & Artist Festival

Location: Farm Tech Virtual Platform

#BlackLivesMatter #BlackTransLivesMatterToo #SayHerName #PrideMonth #MichelleTamikaWashington #ShanteeTucker #LondonChanel #ElishaStanley #KeishaJenkins #DiamondWilliams #TonyMcDade #AliciaSimmons #GeorgeFloyd #BreannaTaylor #AaliyahJohnson

HISTORY

People’s Pride PGH began in 2017 in protest of the Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh's destructive, dangerous, and toxic actions, which have over the years undermined Pittsburgh's TLGBQIA+ communities.

People’s Pride PGH, which is now Pittsburgh’s leading community-centered Pride event, was founded and is directed by Trans people of color and allies to bolster the unapologetic approach needed to demand equal rights and visibility for our TLGBQIA+ communities in Pittsburgh and around the country.

Watch a video from The Daily Show with Trevor Noah about the disturbing corporatization of Pride, featuring Ciora Thomas, founder of SisTers PGH and People’s Pride: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KXpHo3qhFQ 

WHY WE FIGHT

It remains legal in Pennsylvania to put forward a defense in court of “LGBTQ+ panic.” This is a strategy which asks a court to blame a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity to defend against charges of a violent crime, such as assault or murder. In 2021, we cannot allow for our legal system to permit an “excuse” for violence against TLGBQIA+ because of simply who we are. Legislation continues to be introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, but has yet to advance.

Because TLGBQIA+ people face systemic and institutional discrimination, many in the community view sex work as a career option -- sometimes the only option. This is why we must support sex workers and their fight for respect, safety, and dignity, as well as support the decriminalization of sex work.

We must also advocate for and stand with our TLGBQIA+ youth, who suffer from high rates of alcohol and drug dependency. We owe it to our younger siblings to strengthen supportive programs that center their needs, because that is the only way to break the cycle of trauma.

These are just a few reasons why we must center our most marginalized siblings and continue pushing for legislation and policies that protects our communities from the many phobias and crises that plague our equal existence in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.


SPONSORSHIPS/DONATIONS

Sponsorship Levels/Tiers: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O-ys-81D02TZ9u3PkQa6WdgY0SOBbObp-f_ADccvkQU/edit 

Electronic Donations can be sent to:
PayPal.me/SisTersPGH
CashApp: $isTersPGH
Venmo: SisTersPGH

Checks can be sent/written out to:
SisTers PGH
2014 Monongahela Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15218
Memo: People's Pride PGH 2021