The three-day World Pride Human Rights Conference kicked off on Wednesday, June 4 at the Marriott in Downtown Washington, DC, just feet from the White House. Participants were able to pick up their badges or register on the lobby level. The floor below held a Wellness Sanctuary; First Timers Room with light fruit, honey-infused water, and tables for socializing; Peace & Prayer Room, Wellness & Counseling Support Room, and more. The bottom floor hosted the panels, podcasts, artwork, and networking rooms.
Panels included: Developing Leaders for Sustainable LGBTQIA2S+ Advocacy Across Sectors, LGBTQIA2S+ Migrant Trauma and Resilience: From Displacement to Belonging, Stirred Stories: Inclusive Storytelling to Elevate Marginalized Voices, Sacred Dignity: Faith Perspectives on LGBTQIA+ Human Rights, Boomerang Advocacy II: The Workshop, and more.
At the Migrant Trauma and Resilience panel, one speaker, Basel Touchan, MD said “I’m not just a face for fundraising, I’m the talent,” and received a roomful of applause. The speaker then said there are 1.3 million foreign born LGBTQ in the United States. Another speaker from this panel said “My life isn’t in Mexico, it’s here (in the U.S.). We are all deserving of human dignity.
Another Panel focused on LGBTQ Human Rights in the continent of Africa, specifically the state of Civil Rights in Kenya. The speakers spoke about navigating challenges of African anti-gay laws. They said that homophobia is a colonial construct and there were not any problems in pre-colonial times. Kenyans always saw community as family. Kenyan Sections 162, 163, and 165 were brought up, which criminalize same-sex activities. “Now, colonization right wing is exporting to Africa,” they said. Polish and other groups are writing laws for Africans. Activism is to be limited and speaking out against the very law is illegal. The speakers said they must talk about sex and sexuality and create safe spaces.
To the sides of the panels was a room for tabling, information, networking, and Pride merchandise.
In the main room, Beasty Designs, operated by Mary Finney and sponsored by the Art Gallery for Pride, created a three-day, three-panel interactive art piece.
