Toronto-based artist and writer Max Mohenu (@max_mohenu) writes about creating the OMG.BLOG 2020 Pride Playlist.
In the midst of a pandemic, battling police brutality, and the basic human rights of Queer people being contested, what does it mean to be proud in 2020? We’re all asking ourselves this question from home, thinking about our friends and loved ones in quarantine.
This year, we should take pride in the fact that we’re finally seeing the world change for Black and Indigenous people. People are protesting, rioting, and learning new ways to fight a corrupt system. We hear all the time that Pride started with revolutionary riots and we’re learning what it means to be resilient in the face of uncertainty.
It’s a very scary, yet powerful, moment in history. It’s a time to forget about partying and reflect on the society we’ve called “normal” for so long.
For Pride 2020, be proud of change, be proud of your ability to be uncomfortable and willing to learn, and be proud of the anti-racist work you’ve incorporated into your daily life.
Continue to grow, continue to love, continue to say Black Lives Matter from the pit of your chest!
This year’s OMG.BLOG Pride Playlist is dedicated to Black legends of house, disco, and soul.
Everything we have is because of them: the dancefloor anthems, the freedom, the culture. Queer nightlife would be nothing without these icons creating the soundtrack for the spaces we call home.
After the jump, you’ll find this year’s playlist and a list of organizations and resources we recommend you consider supporting!
Listen to the OMG.BLOG Pride 2020 Playlist on Spotify or below:
Donations are an important component of ongoing anti-racist work. These worthy collectives and organizations can use your financial support, but if you aren’t able to donate right now, follow them on Instagram, continue educating yourself, and keep sharing information and resources with your friends and family.
Collectives:
For The Gworls: A collective raising money for Black trans individuals’ gender-affirming procedures and expenses.
Club Quarantine: An online dance party/collective raising money and spreading awareness to various Black initiatives around the world. Updates on future parties and fundraisers can be found on their Instagram @clubquarantine.
Angelito Collective: A brand new international queer collective raising money for various Black trans organization. Their debut Pride party happens on June 28th and “funds raised will go to support @redcomunitariatrans Emergency Sex Workers Fund and the Black Trans Protestors Fund.” Donations can be made via link in their bio.
Activation Residency: A collective/annual artist residency aimed to support and empower black queer creatives with accessible care and community solidarity. Donations to their co-op fund can be made here.
Organizations:
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund: America’s premier legal organization fighting for racial justice.
Marsha P. Johnson Institute: The Marsha P. Johnson Institute (MPJI) protects and defends the human rights of Black transgender people by organizing, advocating, creating an intentional community to heal, developing transformative leadership, and promoting collective power.
Black Lives Matter USA / Canada/ UK: Working to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.
Black Mental Health Matters: A fund that will support low/no cost virtual mental health care for Black clients in East York, Toronto and across Ontario, Canada.
PLUS: Check out the rest of the OMG.BLOG playlists!
For me, part of PRIDE is not labeling others. While I know the intention is good, I strongly resent the term “authentic” in describing people that are out, but only them. There are many ways to be authentic! Also, there are people for whom to be out would be dangerous, life-threatening, diminishing to other aspects of their life or passions, a myriad of reasons. Let’s please allow everyone to define and to live their life as THEY see fit! Otherwise we are no different than the “ists” people who categorize others, and we are “closet-shaming” those who are still in that place for whatever personal reasons. Thanks!