By Elle Halo
I am a strong, black, woman of trans experience . Every single time I say it, I feel so much better. —Britney Griner
Pride in the movement is power
That we built up for ourselves instead
of the power stolen from us
Stolen from the land
And built upon our backs
It’s that moment
When you have your first big laugh after mourning an incredible loss
Too many losses
It’s that moment when you go from surviving to thriving
Screaming to Speaking
Protect Black Trans Womxn
Pride is taking a little more control over your destiny each day
Pride in the movement is: I’m not just doing this for me
Pride is doing the right thing
Even when it hurts
Breaking your own heart
Protect Black Trans Womxn
You risk losing your family, your mind, your body to be free
Its the hugs, the dancing, the drag, and the love for me
That lifts you up after saying, I don’t want to do this anymore
Exploding colors, walking ’til you can’t anymore
The pride in the movement is giving the mic to those without a voice
Seeing those faces you never get to see
Seeing our family, our siblings who only come out at this time cause it’s the only time they feel safe
Finding our place
Protect Black Trans Womxn
Pride is marching in defense of black lives
We are Black, we are strong, we are standing
Black LGBTQ+ issues are Black issues
Standing your ground
The right hand throwing a brick at the right time
Pride is the good trouble makers
they will never erase you
It’s this reminder
We should not just be free for a day, a weekend, a month, or a season
How free we are today is how free we should feel every day of the year!
Pride is setting your rate, your standards and conditions
Pride is remembering who you are
A Queen of Sheba, a Goddess, a silent storm
Getting out of bed as not just a personal victory but as an act of revolution
Protect Black Trans Womxn
Pride is moving knowing that God has ordered your steps
Pride is knowing that we only get the time we have
Knowing that you will never be here again
That the things of this world are fleeting and that family is all that matters, even if you have to fight and search for it
It’s the transformation when you get off of work
Pride in the movement is fighting for people who do not fight for you
People who choose to scrutinize and ostracize you inside and outside of the “community”
Protect Black Trans Womxn
I need you
I’d beg if it would make a difference
I can’t protect us
I can’t protect myself
I’m in danger
But I’mma live with love and the joy that I have
The world didn’t give it and the world cant take it away
Pride in the movement is knowing why the caged bird sings and singing anyway
Pride in the movement is working everyday of the year to build visible programming and the message being lost before people even get home
Pride is flexing a new body
Pride is living with your decisions
Pride is remembering who you are
Creativity, vision, strength, courage
Busted lips
Blackened eyes
Broken ribs
Don’t lose this message
Protect Black Trans Womxn
I can’t protect us
I need you to help us be safer and move smarter
I need you to show me that you heard me
Pride in the movement is up lifting all our mothers, femmes, queens, and keeping them safe
Pride in the movement means I will fight until I die
It takes no compromise to give people their rights…it takes no money to respect the individual. It takes no political deal to give people freedom. It takes no survey to remove repression. —Harvey Milk
Elle Halo is an LGBTQ+ Health Equity Advocate and alum of Public Allies Milwaukee (’19, ’20).
This piece is part of Public Allies’ campaign to highlight voices of LGBTQ+ members, alumni, staff, and partners throughout Pride Month.