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Caribbean Life, JUNE 25-JULY 1, 2021 27
What’s not to love about
the month of June? Derived
from Juno, the Roman goddess
of marriage, it is the
month of weddings. It is
the season of graduations
and all the celebrations
that come with graduates
marking the completion of
their studies and the commencement
of the next leg
of their academic or professional
journeys. This
is the month that summer
solstice arrives and brings
with it the most sunlight
and the longest day of the
year. In June, we celebrate
fathers and, since 1969,
Pride Month and the rich
legacy of our LGBTQIA+
community.
It wasn’t always that
way. For decades, the LGBTQIA+
community was
plagued by widespread
discrimination, injustices,
and harassment. As such
was the case in June 1969
when police raided the
Stonewall Inn in Greenwich
Village. The rebellion
that ensued marked
the beginning of political
activism and a movement
to ban discriminatory laws
and practices against the
LGBTQIA+ community.
Also, while members of
the LGBTQIA+ community
generally did not publicly
embrace their sexual
orientation or identity, the
Stonewall riots kindled
both strong personal and
public expressions of pride
throughout the LGBTQIA+
community.
There have been tremendous
strides in ensuring the
civil rights of LGBTQIA+
from anti-discrimination
laws to federal workplace
protections to marriage
equality. But there is more
work to be done. And while
expressions of pride are
more visible than ever,
unfortunately for many, it
is matched by continued
discrimination, harassment,
and a rise in violence
against members of the LGBTQIA+
community. The
antidote to hate must be education
and inclusion.
At Kingsborough, we
celebrate Pride Month, but
we work to ensure an inclusive
campus, one where
we understand that our differences
should not set us
apart but bring us together.
We have resources in place
all year round to support
members of our LGBTQIA+
community, the most important
of which are our allies.
Our Safe Zone Allies,
(a campus-wide network of
committed individuals who
serve as the first points of
contact for those who need
to speak to a caring person
about LGBTQIA+ issues)
are critical to helping both
LGBTQIA+ students and
other members of the KCC
community feel welcomed,
supported, included and
valued so they can thrive
at the College.
Allies have always been
part of the movement. They
are loved ones, friends, and
strangers who all understand,
as Rev. Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. understood
that injustice anywhere
(for anyone) is a threat to
justice everywhere (and for
everyone).
Let us embrace June as
a time of celebration, a celebration
of the new solstice;
a celebration of fathers; a
celebration of graduates
and newlyweds; and a celebration
of the LGBTQIA+
community and the allies
who stand and act in solidarity
with them.
Dr. Claudia V. Schrader
is president of Kingsborough
Community College
(KCC), a 72-acre academic
oasis located in beautiful
Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn.
Kingsborough honors
the histories, identities, and
voices of our LGBTQIA+
community. Join us as we
remember and celebrate the
lives of leaders and loved
ones in our LGBTQIA+ community
who have passed
on.
EDUCAT I O N PROFI LE
LGBTQIA+ Allies: Standing and Acting in Solidarity
The Four Antoine Siblings — Wendel, 35,
Rebecca, 32, Rachelle, 26, and Nathalie, 24,
all graduated from York College.
"York College has helped shape who we are
today ....... We are forever grateful for all the
departments and faculty that never cease to
share their expertise for us to succeed"-Rachelle
Antoine, Former Student Government President,
York College.
There is still time to register!
Visit our website: www.york.cuny.edu/admissions
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