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One of the ways that we as an organization thought to introduce ourselves to the community and let folks know that we are now a fully organized group is to build a Pride event that people are expecting, safety in our community being our highest priority. But us as an incorporated nonprofit is new. Oakland Pride is nothing new, right? Pride as a celebration. Basically, playing on the half in, half out narrative that we’re all in. So then tell me a little bit about what you guys are planning. Below is an abridged version of the conversation. Oakland Voices caught up with Oakland native Olaywa Austin, the executive director and one of the founders for the newly-organized Oakland Black Pride, to talk about the events and what it means for LGTBQIA+ community. Oakland Black Pride in previous years has been a loosely-structured gathering for community members in the know. In August 1970, Huey P Newton gave a speech about women’s liberation and gay liberation movements, intersecting them with liberation movements within the Black community. Johnson for the acknowledgement of civil rights for members of the LGTBQ+ community. It took riots in Compton Cafeteria in 1966, Black Cat Tavern in 1967, and Stonewall riots in 1969 led by Black trans woman and activist Marsha P. Pride did not begin as a celebration, the host of parades and rainbow flags we see today. Organizers of the upcoming Oakland Black Pride events, happening June 24-June 27, are not just creating events, but are seeking to improve the conditions for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ communities in the Town and in the region through leadership development, advocacy, and by providing direct resources and services to the community. On June 27th, the closing ceremonies with a Slayer’s Ball, a challenge in a mix of performance, lip sync, and runway walk. This includes Zoom panels that provide community-centered discussions, a queer expo for nonprofit business owners, a Pride fundraiser in partnership with 7th West, a kickball tournament, and a queer pub crawl throughout Oakland starting at Kingston 11 and ending at Oeste.
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While San Francisco Pride events start June 11, and will be different from Oakland Pride, which occurs September 11-12, Oakland Black Pride is organizing its own events. Left to right: Oakland Black Pride team members James Cox, Olaywa Austin.