June is nationally recognized as Pride Month, a time for members of the LGBTQ community to celebrate and share their identities and relationships.
But this year, advocates say the climate feels different. It comes as some other Southern states have enacted bans on dressing in drag. And, brands like Target and Bud Light have faced backlash from consumers for marketing their products to the LGBTQ community. Target recently removed a line of LGBTQ-aimed clothing due to customers confronting Target workers in opposition.
Jason McCarty is the executive director of Capital City Pride in Jackson. He says apprehension toward LGBTQ people often stems from simply being uninformed.
“I think there's just so much fear in Mississippi of the unknown,” McCarty said. “There's so much fear of, you know, not understanding what our community is really about. And every time I say the same thing I wake up every morning just like you do. I put on my, the same way I pay taxes, I pay bills. I go to work. I go to church and I have a family.”
This year's pride also comes on the heels of recently signed legislation banning Mississippians under the age of 18 from receiving gender-affirming care. This state law is one of hundreds across the country specifically targeting those who wish to present outside of the sex they were assigned at birth.
McCarty says the transgender community has reason to be anxious about attending pride events. He pledges to do his best to protect them and asks others to do the same.
“I'd like to call on the L, G, B and the Q to really step up this year to support the T in that acronym. I know that it's uncomfortable, I'm uncomfortable with you, but I will stand with you and I will make sure that you feel supported,” McCarty said.
The month of June is observed as Pride Month because it coincides with the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York.
Capital City Pride is holding a number of events throughout the month of June, including a drag brunch and a rainbow run.
