SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) — The coronavirus pandemic and calls for racial equality have changed the very nature of this year's 50th anniversary LGBTQ Pride events. Activists and organizers plan to uplift the people of color already among them and make Black Lives Matter the centerpiece of Global Pride events that will stream online Saturday. One organizer notes that “trans women of color have been targeted in what has been called an epidemic, and the Stonewall uprising happened in response to police harassment and brutality.” Global Pride will feature activists, politicians and entertainers including Betty Who, Deborah Cox, Laverne Cox, Jake Shears and Martha Wash.

Ben Margot/AP
Rainbow banners hang in the Castro District Thursday, June 25, 2020, in San Francisco. As San Francisco Pride turns 50 without its signature parade down Market Street and Civic Center party due to the coronavirus pandemic, LGBTQ individuals and their allies are marking the milestone in other ways. Pride weekend will be kicked off with a pink torch procession from Oakland to San Francisco. Mayors London Breed and Libby Schaaf are scheduled to take part. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Posted at 5:43 AM, Jun 26, 2020
and last updated 2020-06-26 05:43:47-04
Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.