Author: BPI Admin

All paws on deck: The Savvy Ally discussion February 22

This Saturday, February 22, we are wrapping up our discussions around the savvy ally. This series of discussions all came to us from our intrepid allies Bill and Susie Rivera, so it is very, very fitting that they have structured a conversation that is both timely and needed. We will be recording this episode for the next Pride Connection and would really like to hear as many BPI member voices in the conversation.

 

As you will see and Bill and Susie‘s conversation outline below, we’re not only looking for ally voices. Members of the community can help shape How allies think about and offer their support as they stand with us in these truly unprecedented times. If you are available, please consider joining us at 4:30 PM Eastern, 1:30 PM Pacific.

We will disseminate the zoom information when we put out the reminder later this week on the Announce list.

 

Here is the conversation Outline:

For this month’s Savvy Ally discussion, we propose diving into a crucial and timely conversation:

  • As allies, how can we best support the LGBTQ+ community in these times when advocacy and awareness are more important than ever?
  • As allies, how can we ensure we are actively advocating for our LGBTQ+ friends and family in ways that truly matter?
  • How can we, as allies, make sure our messaging and advocacy efforts genuinely reflect the needs and voices of the LGBTQ+ community?
  • Most importantly, what do you, as LGBTQ+ individuals, need from us right now to feel supported and uplifted?

We envision this discussion to be about listening, learning, and taking action in meaningful ways, so join us on Saturday, February 22. Check the announce list for the meeting details or contact the media team at media@blindlgbtpride.org for more information.

To know more about Blind LGBT Pride International, visit www.bpi.gay.

Magda and Muskrats Want Us to React… But How?

By Anthony Corona

  The key is distraction, folks. Get us angry. Get us divided. That’s the playbook.  We saw it happen just recently—MAGA extremists openly mocked a blind witness at a Capitol Hill hearing. Cruel, juvenile, disgusting—but more than that, it was strategic. They know that when we’re outraged, we’re focused on the offense instead of the bigger picture. They want us tweeting, ranting, and arguing amongst ourselves instead of uniting against the very real policy threats that are happening behind the scenes.  Because while they’re putting on this circus, here’s what’s really going on:        •       

Donald Trump and Elon Musk are forming an alliance that threatens disability rights in ways we’ve never seen before. Musk, handed unchecked power as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), now has access to sensitive government data. He’s pushing policies that put essential disability protections—like Section 504—at risk.     •       Fourteen state attorneys general have launched lawsuits against DOGE, warning that this overreach could dismantle vital protections. But how much attention is that getting? Instead, the news cycle is filled with reaction clips and partisan bickering.      •       This isn’t just about the blind community. This isn’t just about one hearing. This is a test run—a way to see if we’ll let anger pull us apart or if we’ll stand together across disabilities, across movements, and across the political spectrum to fight back.

 And while this is happening, attacks on transgender and non-binary citizens are escalating at an alarming rate. Laws are being proposed and passed that strip away their rights to healthcare, public spaces, and even their ability to exist legally as their true selves. The Stonewall National Monument—sacred ground in the fight for LGBTQIA+ liberation—is being scrubbed down to just “LGB,” erasing the trans and non-binary leaders who were at the very heart of the movement. The same forces trying to dismantle disability rights are working just as hard to erase queer and trans identities, to roll back reproductive rights, to criminalize Black history, to silence Indigenous voices, to make America a country where only Christian, white, heterosexual, cisgender men hold full personhood under the law.  So

here’s the challenge: don’t react to their cruelty—react to their policies.     •       Support the attorneys general who are fighting against this. Call their offices. Donate if you can.     •       Reach out to your senators and representatives. Flood their inboxes and phone lines. Demand accountability for DOGE and transparency around Musk’s unchecked influence.         •       Make noise in the media. Contact journalists, write op-eds, bring the focus back to policy, not personality politics.   •       Build coalition. The disability community is powerful, but we are strongest when we work together. Connect with other disability advocates. Reach out to civil rights groups. We all have a stake in this fight.        •

        Join organizations like Blind LGBT Pride International. Organizations like Blind LGBT Pride International are shining a light through the dark, straight at the truth. They spotlight the issues and provide ways—small, large, and in-between—for people to engage in access and advocacy. BPI is the only organization serving the intersection of the blind and low-vision community within the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Get involved, follow trusted sources of information, and support nonprofits and journalists who are speaking their truth.

You can start by joining the Blind LGBT Pride international family, and movement at www.bpi.gay.  

They want to divide us. Let’s show them just how united we can be.

 

Yours,
Anthony Corona
He/Him
 Host and Producer of Sunday edition
sundayeditionac@gmail.com
and
Vice President, Blind LGBT Pride International

Happy Valentine’s Day, LGB—And the Only Tea Is for Trump

By Anthony Corona

Imagine waking up on your birthday and being told you don’t exist. Worse yet, that you never
existed. And moving forward, you won’t have a place here. Imagine visiting the legendary Stonewall National Monument—the site where a courageous rebellion ignited a movement—only to find out that your identity has been erased. That is the Valentine’s Day present millions of Americans are waking up to on a day that’s supposed to celebrate love.
A Systematic Erasure The National Park Service (NPS) has removed references to transgender and queer individuals from the Stonewall National Monument’s website. The site, which previously acknowledged “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+)” individuals, now only refers to “lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB)” persons.[¹] This erasure is not accidental. It aligns with an executive order signed by Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, directing federal agencies to define sex strictly as male or female. As a result, transgender identities are being systematically removed from government documents, websites, and policies.[²] This isn’t just about a website. This is about stripping away identity, history, and rights. The Plan to Divide and Destroy This administration is attacking not just the LGBTQIA+ community, but also the disability community, civil rights protections, and any person or group that does not fit into its narrow, regressive vision of America. Government entities are being pressured to erase transgender, nonbinary, and questioning individuals from existence. Corporations and private entities are being encouraged to do the same. This is a strategy as old as fascism itself: erase identities, pit communities against one another, demonize differences, and encourage hatred and violence. The ultimate goal? To divide, conquer, and consolidate power in the hands of the few. A Theocracy in the Making
For many of us in the LGBTQIA+ community, just turning on the news or opening our phones is an act of horror. Why? Because every day, another piece of our existence is being legislated out of public life, all under the guise of “Christian values” and “purity.” This should horrify all of us. Make no mistake—Trump does not believe in God. Trump believes he is God. And unless you bow to him, you are the enemy.
First, they came for the migrants and the immigrants. Then, they came for the disabled. Now, they’re coming for the LGBTQIA+ community. And next? It’s only a matter of time before women are forced back into the kitchen, barefoot, barred from the workplace, and stripped of autonomy over their own bodies. This administration is laying the groundwork for a tiered citizenship system. Who will be deemed a “true American” next? Will it be determined by skin color? National origin? Religious affiliation? The question isn’t if more groups will be targeted—it’s when.
A Playbook Right Out of 1930s Germany Right-wing politicians and MAGA extremists will deny it, but the truth is undeniable: Trump and his oligarchs are using the same propaganda tactics that fueled the Nazi movement. They are defining an “ideal citizen.” They are erasing those who don’t fit the mold. They are encouraging hatred and division. And they are daring us to look away. Look in the mirror. Shake your ancestry tree. If you are not a Putin, you are not safe. This is the moment to fight back. Because if we allow this erasure to continue, history tells us exactly where we’re headed. And by then, it will be too late.

 

Media Contact:
Anthony Corona (He/Him)
Vice President, Blind LGBT Pride International
Email: media@blindlgbtpride.org

For more information and to support BPI’s mission, visit www.bpi.gay.

Blind LGBT Pride International Observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day: A Call to Advocacy, Unity, and Accountability

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Blind LGBT Pride International (BPI) reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the rights and dignity of all people as the organization commemorates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On this day of reflection, BPI acknowledges the ongoing critical need for advocacy—work that remains as essential now as it was 25 years ago when the organization, then known as BFLAG, was founded.

Marking its 25th anniversary, BPI celebrates a significant milestone in its journey to dismantle barriers and confront injustices affecting the blind and LGBTQIA+ communities. However, this milestone coincides with a moment of political and social challenge. On a day honoring Dr. King’s fight for equality, the nation witnesses the inauguration of a twice-impeached former president facing 34 felony charges, a figure who incited a violent attack on democracy.

“While we will not say, ‘Not my president,’ we resolutely commit to holding this administration accountable—to the Constitution, to the ideals of democracy, and to the protection of human rights for all,” said Anthony Corona, Vice President of Blind LGBT Pride International.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, BPI calls on its members and the broader LGBTQIA+ community to stand in solidarity with the most vulnerable among them, including transgender individuals, youth, and others facing heightened discrimination and violence. At the same time, the organization honors the trailblazers who paved the way for today’s LGBTQIA+ Americans to live openly, proudly, and authentically.

Dr. King’s words—“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”—continue to guide BPI’s mission to champion equality and advocate for a world where every individual can thrive without fear of prejudice or exclusion.

“We don’t want the importance of observing the work and celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to be overshadowed by this inauguration and all the fear it brings to members of our community and the disabled community at large,” Corona added.

BPI encourages all members of the LGBTQIA+ and disability communities to honor Dr. King’s legacy by extending support to one another—standing behind, beside, and in front of those who need it most. Together, the organization vows to carry the torch of progress and ensure the light of justice shines brightly for generations to come.

 

Media Contact:

Anthony Corona (He/Him)

Vice President, Blind LGBT Pride International

Email: media@blindlgbtpride.org

For more information and to support BPI’s mission, visit bpi.gay.

Blind LGBT Pride International Ends Affiliation with American Council of the Blind

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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).

BPI has thrived during its affiliation with ACB, growing into a dynamic and self-sustaining organization. However, significant differences regarding DEIA priorities and ACB’s stance on critical human rights issues have led BPI to pursue independence.
“While we will always advocate for blind and low-vision individuals, the narrow approach taken by the American Council of the Blind compelled us to seek a path that aligns with our core mission,” said Anthony Corona, Vice President of BPI. “This independence empowers BPI to establish strategic partnerships within the LGBTQIA+ and blind and visually impaired (BVI) communities, both in the United States and around the world.”

Despite the separation, BPI remains committed to serving as a resource and subject-matter expert for ACB and other organizations when called upon. The organization will continue to offer safe spaces for communication, networking, referrals, and social connections, while expanding its advocacy efforts to create a more inclusive future.

In 2025, BPI will celebrate 25 years as the only global organization dedicated to supporting the unique intersectionality of LGBTQIA+ and BVI communities. This milestone offers an opportunity to honor past achievements and reaffirm its mission to foster inclusivity, equity, and belonging.

For more information about Blind LGBT Pride International, please visit
www.bpi.gay.

Media Contact:
Anthony Corona
He/Him
Vice President, Blind LGBT Pride International
media@Blindlgbtpride.org

Blind LGBT Pride International (BPI) Affirms Commitment to Human Rights by Opting Out of Jacksonville Convention

For Immediate Release:

Blind LGBT Pride International (BPI) Affirms Commitment to Human Rights by Opting Out of Jacksonville Convention

The American Council of the Blind (ACB), the parent organization of BPI, will hold their annual conference and convention in Jacksonville, FL, in July 2024. Amid Florida’s divisive and hostile political climate towards marginalized groups, including the LGBTQ+ community, BPI initially sought to collaborate with ACB to ensure a safe and inclusive convention experience. This effort included a human rights speaking demonstration at Jacksonville’s City Hall Park on July 8th, developed in conjunction with the Jacksonville Mayor’s office, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion officer, and the Sheriff’s Department, to showcase Jacksonville’s commitment to human rights for all.

However, following actions taken by the ACB Board of Directors on January 30th, 2024, which retracted endorsement and support for the planned demonstration, BPI found it fundamentally critical to reassess its participation. The Board’s decisions signaled a departure from standing with marginalized members and advocating for collective human rights.

“In choosing to opt out of the Jacksonville convention, we assert our dedication to protecting and uplifting the rights of our transgender siblings, pregnant individuals, people of color, and everyone impacted by Florida’s unjust legislation,” stated Tristan Snyder, co-chair of BPI’s Advocacy committee.

After thorough discussion and reflection, BPI chooses to prioritize the well-being and rights of all marginalized communities by repealing our participation in this year’s ACB convention. This decision stems from a position of strength and a deep commitment to our core values.

“We encourage our community and allies to join us in this decision to stand in solidarity for human rights, demonstrating through our actions that we demand safe and inclusive environments for all.”

“BPI has been a proud affiliate and supportive partner of the American Council of the Blind since 2000,” says BPI President Leah Gardner.
“However, the recent actions of the ACB Board convey a message that the safety and dignity of all attendees do not hold as much importance as its relationships with grant and corporate sponsors. It is with a heavy heart that BPI must withdraw all programming and participation from ACB’s annual conference and convention. We will select a delegate to vote virtually at the conference and convention as the democratic process remains the best way to secure human rights. While we are deeply disappointed by the recent decisions of the ACB Board, we remain hopeful for a future where the dignity and safety of all convention attendees is paramount.”

For more information about Blind Lgbt Pride, please visit:
bpi.gay.