WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — Hundreds of LGBTQ+ members attended the Rally in Support of LGBTQ+ Lives event in West Hartford Sunday, wearing their rainbow pride, holding flags and signs, and sharing words of encouragement and hope.
One of the attendees at Blue Back Square for the event was June Carpenter. She made her voice heard and supported other LGTBTQ+ people and families.
Carpenter, a trans woman, said in her lifetime, she has experienced bullying, harassment and denial of her trans rights.
“But I’m here today, standing, speaking to all of you, despite all of that,” Carpenter said.
The event came after Donald Trump’s presidential win against Kamala Harris.
On Election Day this year, the Trevor Project, a suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people, saw an increase of nearly 700% of crisis contact volume compared to the weeks before.
“We have folks who are numb, who don't really know what to do with their emotions. We have people who are feeling angry, sad, and scared right now,” Johanna Schubert, co-chair of West Hartford Pride, said.
Schubert hopes they can validate all of those feelings.
“But also turn those feelings into action and give people a reason to jump in and fight, but also to recognize that we're here for more than just fighting when times are tough,” Schubert said.
Besides Carpenter speaking out at the rally, there were city, federal, and state leaders like State Rep. Sarah Keitt there too. She said she was there not just as a politician but as a mother to Theo, who is gender queer.
“I’m going to tell you all what I told Theo, I am going to fight like hell to make sure that Connecticut is a place where you can all live your lives safely, freely as your authentic beautiful selves and live fulfilling lives equally, with everyone else in our community,” Keitt said. “You have my promise that I will not standby quietly if national policies try to force you back into the closet. We will not go back.”
Carpenter wanted to remind people that they are still here, still themselves and nothing could change that.
“We've lost the ability to have freedom without a fight. But that doesn't mean we aren't going to fight. It means we have to fight, and we will fight” Carpenter said.
Those who would like to organize a rally in their own community can reach out to one of the organizers from Sunday’s rally, said Melissa Combs, the founder of the Out Accountability Project.
Cayla Cade is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at ccade@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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