PROCLAMATION IN RECOGNITION OF THE ANNUAL AFRO PRIDE FESTIVAL 

 

WHEREAS,  The United States was founded on the principle of equal rights for all people. Historic civil rights movements led by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community were comprised of diverse racial and ethnic groups that worked together to lift the LGBT community from the margins to the mainstream of American society and away from social shame and stigma. 

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WHEREAS,  In South Florida, Black and Brown LGBTQ communities have a pattern of being statistically at the bottom of the economic and social structure of American society. Despite poor health outcomes and empirical evidence of needs for the community, resources are limited and discriminative barriers continue to be upheld.

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WHEREAS,  Over 11.3 Million Black LGBT live in the US in a time where the CDC declared racism a Public Health Crisis and policies affecting LGBTQ rights in South Florida leave room for vulnerability and exclusion.

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WHEREAS, The COVID 19 pandemic disproportionately affected  Black & Brown communities and highlighted health, social, and economic inequities. These inequities were increased and comingled with multiple forms of oppression and discrimination that limit the Balck & Brown LGBTQ+ population equal access to healthcare, employment, wealth, education, and safety.

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WHEREAS, Afro Pride Federation’s mission focuses on the solidarity, empowerment, and overall wellness of the African American & Afrocentric LGBTQ+ communities of the African & Caribbean Diaspora including those who love and support them.

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WHEREAS, the programmatic goal is to expand tangible access to effective culturally informed services that include mental health/substance abuse interventions, HIV prevention & education, and a safe and inclusive platform for community collaboration and cultural & performing arts.

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WHEREAS, The Afro Pride Festival provides a safe, diverse, and inclusive platform to celebrate shared cultural norms, raise awareness, and promote solidarity within the Black & Brown LGBTQ+ community, along with all communities of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds in South Florida.

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WHEREAS, Afro Pride Federation observes Oct 7th -11th as the time period to celebrate the Afro Pride Festival encouraging self-love, social & economic justice, equality, and diversity for all of South Florida.