BEYOND THE RAINBOW: Pride 2022

It’s Pride Month in 2022 and we’re looking BEYOND THE RAINBOW - beyond the iconic six-color pride flag and into the progress that’s possible if we stop doing what’s expected and start listening to folx whose lives and work are forging subtle, profound, and lasting resistances to the status quo. 

We have more questions than answers about how this world can be a safe place for people who live on the edge of “normal”. What we do know is that we care about humanity and there are brilliant people whose voices aren’t being heard. So this June, we’re focusing on individuals and groups in queer communities around the world who have intersecting and historically marginalized identities. 

This month, you’ll see our social media platforms focusing on creators and organizations who inspire us to do better and to be better, and we invite the KILLSTAR community to join us in celebrating the world that these folx are making possible. Visit their pages, share their messages, and contribute to their visions in any way that feels right. 

In addition to using our platform to share about what they are up to, we are also committing 100% of our community giving for the month to one charity in each of our store regions - check out these incredible charities and learn more about the difference they make:

• Trans Women of Color Collective - A US-based organization which exists to “uplift the narratives, leadership & lived experiences of trans people of color while building towards the collective liberation of all oppressed people.” Check them out on Facebook and Instagram, too!

• Black Trans Foundation - In the UK, a “Black trans-led nonprofit org offering free therapy to Black trans & NB ppl aged 16+.” Find them on Facebook and Instagram.
  
  
• GLADT - In the EU, a “self-organization of black, indigenous and of color lesbians, gays, bisexuals, trans*, inter* and queer people in Berlin. We are committed to fighting racism, sexism, transphobia, homophobia, disability and other forms of discrimination at various levels.” 

Here are a few more creators, groups, and organizations which inspire us:

Organizations & Businesses

• Affirming Edits - a photography service which will update childhood photos to match a person’s true gender.
• Elevated Access - volunteer pilots who will transport trans* people to receive gender affirming care
• Transgender First Scholarship - a US-based organization providing access to affordable education for trans* people. 

Individuals

• Zoe Stoller - Queer writer, educator and social worker
• Jake Graf - Trans actor/writer/director, Patron @aktcharity @mermaidsgender, 
• Jamila Anahata - Your fave witch, Shadow Work + Empowerment, Authentic Living, Goth & Metal Goddess
• Dior Jazmine - she/her (gnc), actress • model • vo • creator, eclectic puerto rican angeleno, alternative babe • witch 

KILLSTAR is committed to a world that is safe for everyone and joins those around the world in calling for peace. We're supporting the humanitarian effort for Ukrainian people, and our thoughts are with all those with loved ones in Ukraine and in surrounding regions.

 

As a company, we value doing the right thing. Last week, our team in Glasgow coordinated an effort to donate blankets to refugees and we have redirected our corporate giving for the immediate future to ensure shelter is available to those who are able to flee.  We continue to look for additional ways to help, which include giving resources of time or money to humanitarian aid organizations. 

 

Until all of us are safe, none of us are safe - KILLSTAR will continue to stand in solidarity with those who face systematic oppression and danger for daring to exist in the world. 

Everyone wants and deserves to feel safe, validated and accepted. In a society that can make LGBTQQIP2SAA+ people feel that they are lucky to be tolerated, Pride goes beyond that where you’re not just tolerated but CELEBRATED. It’s so important for everyone to see themselves reflected in the media as well as everyday life. We are all learning more about LGBTQQIP2SAA+ issues in the world both past and present that we previously have not had access to. For a community that has suffered a lot of trauma, hardship and discrimination, it’s so vital to have this positive and safe space where everyone feels loved and is filled with joy. Happy Pride Everyone! 

Juneteenth was not the end. 

We at KILLSTAR recognise and celebrate Juneteenth and the emancipation of enslaved people in America. We also recognize that this was not the end of racism. Until racist ideology and infrastructure are eradicated, Black Americans are not free. 

We recognize that America’s story is not alone, and that racism runs strong throughout the world.

Until Black people are free, none of us can be free.