Vendors raise money for LGBTQ+ social justice causes

ROCHESTER, NY — With Pride Month in full swing, groups are counting on the month to spread awareness of their mission and find funds to support their efforts. Several vendors, artists and groups came together to raise money to support social justice causes and give back to community organizations.

Pride Month began in 1999, when President Bill Clinton declared by federal proclamation that every June in the United States would be recognized as “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month.”

Since then, brands have amplified their messages in their products and campaigns to celebrate the community’s continued progress towards equality, protection and inclusion.

“We have stickers, buttons, cards,” said Jess Bird, owner of Blessy the Messy. “I always want people to feel like they have things to express themselves and to be authentically and openly who they are.”

Businesses like West Elm have had a long run and are contributing over $650,000 in funds to support approximately 7,000 LGBTQ+ youth in crisis.

“Queer people exist and always have existed,” Bird said. “The more visible we are, the safer we can feel in our communities. »

Seeing the impact they’ve had, they continue to celebrate Pride Month, partnering with several queer vendors to raise funds nationally and even giving back locally to groups like the MOCHA Center of Rochester .

“Everyone on my team are all LGBTQ individuals, so we all know what the more negative sides of this health care experience can be,” said community health specialist JP Amezquita. “We want to make sure they get everything they need.” »

The MOCHA Center in Rochester says it is much more than a clinic. meeting clients in a healing and affirming environment where you will feel supported, cared for and cared for.

Many LGTBQ+ people have faced challenges not only in a clinical environment but also in a personal setting.

“I didn’t have a very favorable background,” Bird said. “I came out a little later in life and had two kids and definitely had to go through a complete upheaval. But my community and the family I chose played a big part in pushing me forward and making me feel like everything would be okay.

Organizers are showing their support through resources, stickers, artwork and even drag.

“Obviously blue for no reason,” said drag artist Carmen Adore. “I received this dress from my lovely sister, Ms. Kasha Davis, the local drag celebrity. And I just wanted to be fun and loud and cute.

“The theme is vintage ’80s,” said drag artist Chintz McMahon. “I made these shorts myself and why all that? This is my medallion for Mr. Roar 2024.”

Besides entertainment, drag artists often use their art and visuals to challenge gender stereotypes, blur gender lines, and address social issues.

“Drag is a very important community art form,” McMahon said. “A lot of this is about mutual support and collaboration. »

Organizers hope to increase visibility and continue to make an impact for equality and inclusion, not only during Pride Month, but throughout the year.

“It’s all about having fun,” Adore said. “It’s just about being fully yourself and passing that joy, passing that energy on to others to make this a better place to live.”