this pride month, we celebrate the voices, visions, and legacies that continue to light our path
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proud
at je mérite, i deserve, we believe that visibility is sacred, and inspiration is a form of inheritance
as we begin pride month, we honor the LGBTQIA+ icons who have shaped art, style, resistance, and radical self-love
these are the visionaries who remind us that we deserve to take up space
today we honor six of our muses:
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OCTAVIA BUTLER
a groundbreaking science fiction author and credited with being a prophet of socio-economic and political movements
an award-winning author of thirteen books; a shy loner, she found solace and company in words
we often forget the A in LGBTQIA+, but we will never forget octavia butler
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ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE
a little known queer writer inspired the cultural awakening of black art and expression known as the harlem renaissance
born into a legacy of advocacy for racial justice, as the child of archibald grimke, the 2nd black to graduate from harvard law and vp of the naacp; as well as, sister to racial equality and women's rights advocates, and prominent abolitionists angelina and sarah grimke
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ALEXYA SALVADOR
a reverend at the metropolitan community church in são paulo, is not only the first transgender pastor in brazil but, perhaps, in all of latin america
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SYLVESTER
the gorgeous, androgynous falsetto that powered futuristic disco hits
a musically singular talent whose mélange of disco, soul, and dance; one of the most uncategorizable talents of the ‘70s and ‘80s
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JANELLE MONAÉ
a grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, performer, producer and covergirl spokesperson known for her unique style and groundbreaking sound
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and last but not least
LAVERNE COX
a four-time emmy-nominated actress, emmy-winning producer, and a prominent equal rights advocate and public speaker
the first openly transgender actress to be nominated for a primetime acting emmy and made her the first trans woman of color to have a leading role on a mainstream scripted television series
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happy pride
these icons, and so many more, remind us that pride is more than a month
it’s a practice of visibility, truth, and becoming
may we continue to learn from their legacies, feel their presence in our own self-expression, and carry their wisdom into everything we create
we deserve to be bold. we deserve to be celebrated.
with love and celebration,
tamara charese
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je mérite, i deserve 557 Grand Concourse, Suite 6044, Bronx NY 10451, United States
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