2025 NYC Pride Guide - Magazine - Page 26
Finding Joy in Protest
WITH
AT A TIME WHEN THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY IS FACING RISING DISCRIMINATION AND LEGISLATIVE
ATTACKS, IT CAN BE CHALLENGING TO STAY OPTIMISTIC AND PROTECT YOUR JOY. ENTER GAY BUFFET.
The weekly newsletter was
founded by Aidan Wharton,
who wants to cut through
the chaotic political noise
and fear with queer news
that inspires hope and
builds community.
Through the work, Aidan has
found pockets of strength
and solidarity all over the
country, in the form of
regular people standing up
for something they believe in
on a local level.
“Hope is
“My hope is that, by
celebrating queer wins
vital
and shining a light on
to resistance.” what’s working, people feel
A proposal to ban Pride and Trans flags in Orange County, California
backfired, after fierce public outcry led the local council to
unanimously vote it down.
Boston’s City Council voted 12 to1 to declare the city an LGBTQIA+
sanctuary, protecting access to gender-affirming care, reproductive
services, and treatment for HIV and AIDS.
emboldened to take action
in their own lives.”
Whether it’s attending a
city council meeting, calling
out a harmful joke, or just
supporting someone who
needs it, there are indeed
queer wins to celebrate and ways to protest that
feel true to you.
Anti-LGBTQIA+ groups tried to pressure the State of
Alabama to pull $40,000 in funding from the Fairhope
Public Library. A local fundraiser replaced the money and
then some, raising over $46,000.
La Crosse, Wisconsin elected its first openly gay, Black mayor, with
Shaundel Washington-Spivey, who ran on a platform of racial and
LGBTQIA+ equity.
Even as the State of Utah passed a law banning identity-centered
programming, the Salt Lake Community College’s LGBTQIA+ Center
has remained open to all.
Aiden Wharton
Special thanks to Aidan Wharton for contributing.
/ 25//
nycpride.org
Feast on more
thoughtful, hopeful
queer news by
subscribing to Gay
Buffet at
www.gaybuffet.
substack.com
