People’s Pride returns to Pittsburgh this weekend as a hybrid of virtual and in-person events.
The annual event, organized by SisTers PGH four years ago, was created out of frustration among some LGBTQ groups who said the former Delta Foundation-hosted Pride celebration was not inclusive enough. The slate of events will take place Friday through Sunday.
SisTers PGH Executive Director Ciora Thomas said this year People’s Pride will host online seminars about issues including mental health and trauma, virtual yoga sessions and performances by local artists. It will culminate on Sunday at 10 a.m. with a march from the Hill District to the North Side.
“Pride isn’t just a time for us to come party and do a music festival,” Thomas said. “It’s actually a time for us to learn from each other, love each other, value each other and protect each other.”
Thomas said during this summer’s social justice demonstrations, Black transgender people were not protected from violence and harassment.
“There’s been too many instances where Black trans people were attacked during a protest,” Thomas said.
She emphasized the need for an intersectional community, meaning a more inclusive understanding of how social and political identities can form in order to dismantle discrimination and privilege.
"That's the only way we'll win these battles is being an intersectional body of people with the same common goals," Thomas said. "That's liberation."
A full list of the performances and sessions for People’s Pride 2020 can be found here.
