Blind LGBT Pride International Ends Affiliation with American Council of the Blind
Blind LGBT Pride International (BPI) announced today that it has officially ended its affiliation with the American Council of the Blind (ACB), effective January 1, 2025. This decision reflects BPI’s unwavering commitment to championing human rights and advancing principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA). Read more
Mission
Our mission is to promote the awareness, inclusion, and well-being of blind and vision impaired LGBT people through education, advocacy, and peer-support.
About Us
In 1999, a small group of individuals seeking connection and community met at the American Council of the Blind convention in Los Angeles.
They met in small conference rooms and discussed life, dating, and sight loss. For many, it was the first time an organized mingling of LGBTQIA+ visually impaired individuals was purposefully assembled. The energy from this group culminated in a planning process that resulted in the formation of Blind Friends of Lesbians and Gays, (BFLAG). The original concept was to build on the community and support provided via parents and friends of lesbian and gay groups across the country.
BFLAG applied for an official affiliate status with the American Council of the Blind, and the request was granted in 2000.
Ultimately, BFLAG’s name was officially changed to Blind LGBT Pride International (BPI) in 2009.
The initial small group assembled in 1999 has now expanded to over 170 members. The same dedication and determination to provide opportunities for socialization, networking and support that spurred the creation of our organization is vital today. We are still the only global organization focused on the intersection of visual impairment and sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. Through email lists, virtual townhall conversations and the annual BPI fall social, we reach out and support each other.
In a membership meeting in 2024, BPI members voted to end our affiliation with the American Council of the Blind. This marks a truly exciting chapter in our organization’s history as we aim to reach a wider audience with our revitalized website, stronger social media presence, more robust virtual and in person programming, and our flagship podcast Pride Connection.
Now celebrating twenty-five years of serving blind and visually impaired LGBTQIA+ individuals and our allies, as well as our first year as an independent organization, we are even more dedicated to providing better programs and services to our members. We are also aware of the growing danger to the life and well-being of LGBTQIA+ people globally, particularly in the United States and other nations where democracy is threatened. This challenge only strengthens our unwavering commitment to create safe, welcoming, and enriching spaces for blind and vision impaired LGBTQIA+ people and our allies worldwide.
The road before us seems rough and the task before us daunting, but we are stronger together than we are apart.
Please join us; we all matter!
Blind LGBT Pride International (BPI) Important Links
Constitution and Bylaws – Review our governing documents.
Become a Member – Take the next step … Join BPI!