We believe in the existence of a community specifically for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, and Queer Racial/Ethnic minorities (GLBTQREM), as a means for realizing the GLBTQ long-term goals of acceptance and freedom of self-expression. To this end we commit ourselves and endeavor to bring about such a community through the following means, including but not limited to: peer mentoring programs for secondary and post-secondary students; community building exercises to nurture communal solidarity among secondary and post secondary GLBTREMs; and conscious raising campaigns in order to raise greater awareness about GLBTQREM issues.
Regarding Pride & Color:
We conceive of Pride and Color as a GLBTQREM organization seeking to accord a degree of self-expression to GLBTQREMs comparable to GLBTQ Whites (GLBTQW) from middle and higher-income backgrounds. We do so out of a belief that the differences in the degree of expression between groups are directly related to differences in racialized experiences and habits of behavior. For the sake of all GLBTQs struggling for equality, we believe it is important to acknowledge the limitations of individual racialized experiences and attempt to understand them better. Recognizing the sometimes significant discomfort between racialized individuals in GLBTQ groups, we also believe it to be a valuable resource, offering an alternative social space for the purpose of building unity among GLBTQ community. We think this will enable not only more genuine solidarity between the broader GLBTQ community and the numerous sub-groups within this demographic; but also greater self-expression and self-confidence. We hold these as beliefs and endeavor to address what we perceive is a failure by the GLBTQ community to acknowledge the importance of race, culture, ethnicity, nationality, etc on sexual identity and therefore on sexual expression. We expect that through Pride and Color GLBTQREMs will have a space for greater self-expression, as well as greater opportunities to interact with like GLBTQREMs, and as a result will be less prone to alienation. In addition we believe that such a community lessens the need for “DL” or “closeted” lifestyles, which we believe stem from a fear of being ostracized; a fear that a community for GLBTQREMs could lessen. It is important to emphasize that we neither condemn nor work to eradicate DL or closeted lifestyles, so long as such lifestyles are adopted out of choice as apposed to necessity.
Objectives for 2010-2011 Academic Year:
(1) Promote Pride and Color within both within the five college community and local community.
(2) Alumni-network for GLBTQREMs
(3) Gather and upload GLBTQ REM for upcoming video archive website
(4) Weekly community meetings
(5) Design and implement at least one conscious raising campaign on each five college campus
To get added to list-serv, contact us at [fivecollegepc@gmail.com].
Meetings are every Wednesday @ 8pm
Morris Pratt Basement Common Room at Amherst College
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