This legislative season has been a tough one for the LGBTQIA+ community. We are being attacked from all sides. The ACLU is currently tracking 431 anti-LGBT bills this session (more than any other year). MOST of these bills have come from the State of Texas, where LGBT protections continue to erode. Texas is also where our company is headquartered.
Topics from Drag Queens to Trans Youth are the focus of the majority of these bills. While each year, some states advance positive protections to the LGBTQ community, many states are advancing bills that negatively target transgender people, limit local resources and protections, and allow the use of religion to discriminate against us. Despite the safeguards of the First Amendment’s right to free expression, politicians are fighting to restrict how and when LGBTQ people can be ourselves, limiting access to books about us and trying to ban or censor performances like drag shows. Some states have bills which seek to prohibit transgender people from using facilities like public bathrooms and locker rooms. Of course, everyone should have access to these spaces, no matter their gender identity or gender expression. If you can’t use the restroom, you can’t fully participate in work, school, and/or public life... all because you were born intersex!
There are so many others that we could list here... from healthcare restrictions to educators being forced to OUT students. But know... we are here, we are queer, and we are not going anywhere! We are used to being marginalized by society and these hateful attacks only make us stronger, they bring us together as a community, and they make us organize to fight even harder!
As an LGBT owned small business, Pegasus Pride is dedicated to fighting hatred against the LGBT community. We raise money to fight these attacks, support our community, and show the world that we are nothing more than humans wanting to live our lives. We do this by giving back. A percentage of all our profits go to affirming organizations that help us fight discrimination and bigotry. In addition, 100% of the profits from our #StompOutHate collection goes directly to the ACLU Drag Defense Fund. We chant beside you at local protests where we hand out flags that show support through love and peace. Plus, you can help too. Not only by making a purchase, but when you check out on our site, you can also choose to add an optional donation amount at checkout that will help us to do even more good.
But whatever you do, do something! Go show support for your local drag community, write/call your national/state representatives, and join anti-protests to counteract the affects of these extremist.
We appreciate the support of this community. We know we are #strongertogether and we will continue to fight for our rights!
Terry and Mark Farmer, Owners, Pegasus Pride, LLC