June is Pride month for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people. Twelve workshops are offered over three days. Some workshops are creative and others educational, but they all celebrate the resilience and beauty of Alexandria’s LGBTQ + community. Moderators and moderators include members of the Alexandria LGBTQ Task Force and other local and state partners including Alexandria Library, Safe Space NOVA, Center for Black Equity, Heard Program, Virginia Anti-Violence Project, Drag Queen Story Hour, Equality Virginia, Impacto LGBT, Affiliates Visit Alexandria and More. Also, don’t miss the Progress Pride flags that will be flying at Alexandria City Hall in June.
Thursday June 3rd
Register for one or more workshops on June 3rd using this link.
10 AM – PREVENT VIOLENCE WITHIN AND AGAINST THE LGBTQ + COMMUNITIES
Natasha Smith, Virginia Anti-Violence Project (VAVP)
Learn more about anti-violence work in Virginia and advocacy from an intersectional, multicultural perspective. Rely on resources for LGBTQ + survivors and their loved ones in Virginia.
12 o’clock | SUN IS OUT, BUNS OUT!
Tina Kantiano, listening program
Take a break from dancing (with the camera on or off)! When you are vaccinated and you know it, clap your hands! And stamp your feet! And work, work, work this arm! Join us as we shake it from our mask-free faces to the tips of our safely pedicured toes. We are here, Ms. Sommer! And we come to kill.
2 p.m. | LIVING AUTHENTICALLY: STORIES OF TRANSGENDER VIRGINS
Sara and Dani
Join transgender advocates for a time of community and learning as they share their stories as transgender people living in Northern Virginia, followed by time for dialogue and questioning.
4:00 p.m. | ON THE PATH TO RACIAL EQUITY AND COMMON HUMANITY: REFLECTION ON WHITE PRIVILEGES IN LGBTQ COMMUNITIES
This workshop is designed to inspire white participants to reflect on their experiences of being both LGBTQ and white, and to consider the impact of those experiences on their motivation to support the racial justice cause in America.
6 p.m. | THE CHANGE IN THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE FOR LGBTQ VIRGINS
Northern Virginia Legal Services, Alexandria Office of Human Rights, and Virginia Equality Bar Association
It’s been a big year for LGBTQ Virginians at the state and federal levels. Learn about the city and state legislation that affects the community. Alexandria City Council members will begin this session by reading the Alexandria Pride Proclamation 2021.
Friday 4th June
Register for one or more workshops on June 4th using this link.
12 o’clock | HISTORY OF BLACK LGBTQ + ACTIVISM IN THE DMV AND DC BLACK PRIDE
Kenya Hutton and Earl Fowlkes, Jr., the Center for Black Equity
Starting in 1991, DC Black Pride began to offer black LGBTQ + people an alternative to the predominantly white mainstream LGBTQ + movement. Learn about these beginnings from one of the movement’s founders and leaders of the Center for Black Equity.
2 p.m. | ELDERLY LGBTQ ADULTS – WE ARE HERE TOGETHER!
Ray Biegun, Alan Dinsmore, Bob Eiffert, Terri Lynch, Babs Waters – Alexandria Commission on Aging and Aging and Adult Services
What challenges do older LGBTQ members of our community face? We may not have a partner. We are not allowed to have close relatives or children. We can be alone. Do we have a support circle? Participate in a conversation about how we are part of a supportive, compassionate, and understanding community. We promise that by attending this workshop you will not get older, and it might even make aging less intimidating, knowing that we live in a community that cares.
4:00 p.m. | AND THE CATEGORY IS! CONVERSATIONAL WORD WITH C. THOMAS
Listening program
Against the backdrop of the TV show Pose, participants will hear original poetry (and create their own) and identify the meaning and relevance of LGBTQ artists and how their work has inspired others to live their truth.
6 p.m. | QUEERING THE MEDIA: LGBTQ PRESENTATION IN BOOKS, TV AND FILM
Isaiah West, Librarian and Bookstagrammer: @thequeerbrarian
Are you looking for a good, queer character to fall in love with? Join Isaiah West to discuss the representation of LGBTQ + in books, television, and film.
Saturday 5th June
Use this link to register for workshops on June 5th, with the exception of Drag Queen Story Hour at 10 a.m., which has a separate registration link.
10:00 am | DRAG QUEEN STORY HOUR WITH CITRINE
Sign up for the Story Hour using this link.
What do drag queens and children have in common? They love to dress up and everything that is glittery and fancy! Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH) is exactly what it sounds like – drag queens reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. Enjoy songs and stories for children ages 3-8.
12 o’clock | HOW TO RECOGNIZE Mental Health Problems in LGBTQ + ADOLESCENTS
Safe Space NOVA Executive Director, Jordan L. Costen-Sumpter and Denisha Johnson, LCSW
Register for this workshop using this link.
Mental health problems plague the LGBTQ + community at an extraordinarily high rate. Worse, symptoms – the first signs of mental health problems – are overlooked, ignored, or misdiagnosed. The purpose of this training is to provide parents and caregivers with signs of mental health problems so that they are better able to identify them in children and provide helpful resources.
2 p.m. | HELPFUL TIPS FOR THE COMING-OUT PROCESS – GUIDELINES FOR FAMILIES, PARENTS / CAREGIVERS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS
Safe Space NOVA Executive Director, Jordan L. Costen-Sumpter
Register for this workshop using this link.
The process of understanding and accepting a sexual orientation and / or gender identity can be difficult as the reaction of close family members and friends plays a large role. This training gives parents and caregivers the information and resources they need to properly manage the process.
More Pride Monthly Activities and Events
In addition to the workshops, residents are invited to participate in other city events during Pride Month, including:
Dr. Eric Gonzaba will discuss his digital project which aims to understand the often ignored queer geographies through an interactive web application and digital public history project. Based on the Damron Guides, an early but longtime travel guide aimed at gay men since the early 1960s, this online mapping project explores various dimensions of American gay life over time, from bars and nightlife to bookstores, Cinemas and churches. Fee: $ 6.
Throughout the month, the Alexandria Library hosts a variety of events for all ages including craft workshops, story lessons, book clubs, writing workshops, and more. View or download a full list. Also visit alexlibraryva.org/lgbtq for books, audiobooks, resources, and more.