As a trans (agender), gay, feminist, white person, I would like to say thank you. I am shocked by all of the hate and backlash that you got because of your peaceful protest (btw, the rainbow smoke was badass). I recognize my privilege and know that I do not and will never understand what your community has suffered throughout history. Also my apologies if I have typos as I’m not a native English speaker and not from this country. I am saddened to see that others thought you made this protest and those justified demands solely about black people and about your movement when you fiercely included the latin, south asian, and native communities and stood up for them and with them. I’m sick of seeing all this “all lives matter bullshit”. THAT is what’s taking away from your cause, not your just movement. People do not need a fucking shirt that doesn’t even represent them to donate and be supportive. The cops have not earned their right to be part of a parade which started out as a movement against the oppressed. You have the most right to be at Pride. Your people and the trans community are the ones who initiated the movement. The honourary 2016 title was beyond justified and should’ve been awarded a long ass time ago. Without your community and courage, Canada might not even have their now corporate, brainwashed, yearly parade. People forget that beyond celebrating who they are, beyond the drinking, beyond the partying, beyond the sexual freedom and body positivity, Pride is and ALWAYS will be primarily a movement against oppression. Against a white, cisgendered, heteronormative society. What you did was well within your right and it was an act of bravery that sparked discussion and of course, controversy. Because no movement has ever gone smoothly and no true victory has ever been won without pain and hard work. I am not afraid to be called out on any racist or oppressive remark I might make in my lifetime, because as a white person I will always make such mistakes without intention and not understand things at first. And of course I will never fully understand what other races go through because I am white and have that privilege. I have lost 2 “friends” so far today because of my FB post agreeing to your protest and methods. I am glad to see the true faces of others and am happy to see them go. I’m also a vegan and beyond anti-oppression and violence of any form. If your protest was violent like many claimed it to be, I would not be writing this now. It makes me angry to see that your demands might not be considered in the upcoming Pride. If so, I truly wish to stand with you and be an ally in any ways I can and in whatever way you consider fit and respectful towards your movement and community. I would love to march with you by your side in future events (of course if that is appropiate and alright with you). If not, then know that I will be at Pride (as I am every year) and will cheer you from the crowds. Thank you again for standing up for what is right. I have been the part of several groups and movements myself (none as large on a scale as yours of course) and I know how difficult it is to speak to a group which only talks and is never willing to listen. Which puts you down for who you are and thinks it knows you without even once having talked to you previously. Again, from myself, my wife, my friends who are allies and who fully support you, thank you.
#BlackLivesMatter
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