The Audre Lorde Project organized “The First Annual BEDSTUY PRIDE 2011” on Sunday, August 21.
Initiated by the Safe OUTside the System Collective of the Audre Lorde Project, a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two-Spirit, Trans and Gender Non-Conforming People of Color Center for Community Organizing.
Bedford-Stuyvesant (also shortly as Bed-Stuy) is a neighborhood in the central portion of the New York City borough of Brooklyn. Formed in 1930.
For decades, it has been a cultural center for Brooklyn’s black population. Following the construction of the subway line between Harlem and Bedford in 1936, African Americans left an overcrowded Harlem for more housing availability in Bedford-Stuyvesant. From Bedford-Stuyvesant, African Americans have since moved into the surrounding areas of Brooklyn, such as East New York, Crown Heights, Brownsville and Fort Greene.
The event was at Von King Park (Tompkins Park). 670 Lafayette Ave. (between Marcy and Tompkins Aves). If you want to come next year, the nearest trains are: A, C to Nostrand Ave, G to Bedford-Nostrand Aves, G to Myrtle Willoughby Aves.
There was Spanish Interpretation Available.
The sponsors were:
NYC Anarchist Black Cross
Endorsers in Formation
Brooklyn Men (K)onnect (BMK)
Azucar! – A Queer Latin Dance Party
Lutheran Family Health Center- Project Reach Youth
New York City Anti-Violence Project
Ali Forney Center
Counterpublic NYC
New Yorker for Safe Transit
HIV Prevention Justice Alliance
Pretty Queer.com
Sanctuary for Families- the LGBT Initiative/ Community Law Project
Committee against Anti-Asian Violence (CAAAV)
Brown Girls Burlesque
Marimacho Brooklyn
Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment-GABRIELA USA
Q-WAVE
Right Rides
FIERCE
Roots and River Productions
Brooklyn Pride
Queer Women/Trans Caribbean Collective
Community Board 3
LadyMacho Events
Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice
Circle of Voices Inc.,
GMAD
Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn
Palante Technology
Brooklyn Community Pride Center
Support New York
The Leeway Foundation
Sistahs in Search of Truth, Alliance & Harmony (S.i.S.T.A.H.)
Ms. Magazine
Third Root Community Health Center
ihollaback.org
Callen-Lorde Community Health Center
GO Magazine
The Center for Anti-violence Education
Bed-Stuy Gateway Business Improvement District
Some of these sponsors were at the event.
MANY sponsors but NOT FOOD VENDORS. I had to look for a restaurant in the area. I found a Jamaican restaurant like 4 blocks from the park. Their food was not good. NEXT YEAR, there should be FOOD VENDORS. Just in case they don’t have food, bring your own favorite dish.
People were very friendly. I met some nice women and men. As you can see in the pictures, there were children, women, men, Latinos, Blacks, Whites, Asians, etc. It was a small but NICE event.
The Safe OUTside the System (SOS) Collective is an anti-violence program led by and for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Trans, and Gender Non Conforming (LGBTSTGNC) people of color. They are devoted to challenging hate and police violence by using community based strategies rather than relying on the police.
The day featured performances, artists, vendors. There were different non-profit organizations offering FREE condoms, HIV/AIDS information, etc. Bed-Stuy Pride 2011 was an opportunity for neighborhood folks to come together and celebrate the fabulous Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two-Spirit, Transgender, and Gender Non-Conforming People of Color community in the neighborhood and NYC in general. As an anti-violence community-based collective, SOS feels that one of the best ways to combat violence in the community is to start at home.
If you have questions contact: Chelsea Johnson-Long at 718-596-0342 ext. 11, cjohnsonlong@alp.org or visit their website: The Audre Lorde Project
