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Pride Gayla Holds Court for LGBTQ Community

Photos by Iniko McNeil & Jordan Booker Iniko McNeil Data News Weekly Contributor It’s Homecoming Season for schools across the city. For most Historically Black Universities, the Annual Coronation to crown a Mr. and Misses are a traditional feature of Homecoming activities, marked with ballgowns, tuxedos and sashes. Often left out from the traditional nature […]
The post Pride Gayla Holds Court for LGBTQ Community first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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1 year ago

October 26, 2023

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Photos by Iniko McNeil & Jordan Booker

Iniko McNeil Data News Weekly Contributor

It’s Homecoming Season for schools across the city. For most Historically Black Universities, the Annual Coronation to crown a Mr. and Misses are a traditional feature of Homecoming activities, marked with ballgowns, tuxedos and sashes. Often left out from the traditional nature of these activities are non-binary and LGBTQ students.’

Introducing: The Pride Gayla. (sub)
Honorary Queen: New Orleans native and artist-in-residence: Laveau Contraire.

Pronouns: “Any” “Yeah! She, her, they, whatever I look like at the time,” Contraire said as she headlined the second ever Pride Gayla organized by the Office of Inclusion and Social Justice at Xavier University of Louisiana, the country’s only Black and Catholic HBCU, where officials said they are working to ensure that university and its activities welcomes and reflects all students.

The Pride Gayla on Oct. 12th in the university’s Ballroom focused on the theme “Visible Voices” celebrating the work of LGBTQ artists and activists like Contraire. It was the centerpiece of a full Pride Week from Oct. 11th – 18th, that included resources from medical professionals on sexual and mental health and navigating gender, a “Barber & Beauty Shop” talk on the norms of masculinity and femininity, a yoga session to promote well-being and ending with an “HBCU Out Day” in collaboration with the Human Rights Campaign to promote confidence in students affirming their identity.

“It’s amazing because I didn’t get to go to an HBCU so to have this love at an HBCU was just so monumental for me because it makes me feel at home, and I am giving back to the community and people that look like me, so it is just mine blowing,” Contraire said at the Gayla.

Attendees at the Annual Gayla enjoyed a three-course meal while networking and creating community with fellow LGBTQ+ community members along with allies, determined to be themselves and share an intentionally created safe space.

“I think events like this such as our Pride Gayla are super important for our voices and our students’ voices to be heard and tonight’s theme is visible voices,” said Glenn Caston, Xavier’s Inclusion and Social Justice Officer in the Division of Student Affairs.

“What we are trying to do is create institutional change and policy so using these platforms to hear from our students and to really welcome them into the space to ensure their voices are seen in everything they do is what our office focuses on,” said Caston, who also serves as the Head Cheerleading Coach at Xavier.

While legislation in many Southern states is making initiatives around inclusion and equality in the classroom harder for educators, Caston said it is even more important for educators and administrators to allow space for classroom curriculum and environment to reflect all students in the classroom.

“A you can see; legislation right now is pushing out these curriculum … In my opinion it is absolutely necessary to have our students in discourse. They need to be finding themselves wrestling with tough concepts and tough curriculum so that they know not to repeat it.”

Affirmation is not only about being comfortable speaking and standing in one’s truth. It also entails having visual, physical, relatable representation. Contraire embodied that self-acceptance at the Pride Gayla, transforming as a self-described “drag queen extraordinaire.”

The event held a sacred place for Contraire, who said she was inspired to see that institutions in her native city are creating space and celebrating all genders and gender identities, even when historically, they may have been isolated or marginalized.

“The option to be more free and be more daring,” Contraire said. “Because, I always say if I can get on stage looking like this, and doing all that you can, be bold in your everyday life and maybe you’ll wear that extra outfit that you thought was a little too much for the function but if you can come to a Laveau Contraire Concert and see her doing that then maybe you can step out in your sparkles or whatever.”

This article originally appeared in New Orleans Data News Weekly.

The post Pride Gayla Holds Court for LGBTQ Community first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org