Author: Marco Ramos

BPI Advocacy Committee Holds First Community Call on March 4, 2025

As promised, we are creating new opportunities for you to engage with BPI and to reinforce bonds with fellow members and allies. This virtual meeting courtesy of your Advocacy Committee is a response to the ever-growing need for us to build community and to strengthen ties that make us a family. It is our hope that this fosters a greater sense of solidarity among BPI members and to inspire us to reach out to our local communities to make a difference.

 

Remember, in these trying times, we are stronger together than we are apart.

 

Below is the note from your Advocacy Committee chairs Tristan Snyder and Tai Tomasi regarding the first community meeting:

 

The BPI advocacy committee is pleased to announce that we will be holding community meetings alternating weekly on Tuesday and Sunday evenings. Information for our first meeting is below:

 

Who: blind LGBTQIA plus folx and Allies

What: the building blocks of local community

Where: Zoom (Check the announce list for meeting information.)

When: Tuesday March 4, 8:00 PM Eastern, 5:00 PM Pacific

 

Why: Are you struggling to make sense of everything that is going on in the world? Are you feeling overwhelmed and looking for community? Join like-minded people to learn how to connect with local resources, get involved with advocacy, and cultivate Hope in these difficult times. If you feel moved, let us know what you think the needs of the Blind LGBTQIA plus community are. What can the Blind pride international advocacy committee do for you, and our community as a whole? What topics would you like to see the advocacy committee cover?

 

If you have questions or concerns, please email: advocacy@blindlgbtpride.org

People’s union plans National Economic Blackout on February 28

A group of Americans has planned a National Economic Blackout on February 28, 2025. The blackout is in response to companies discontinuing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives as a result of a series of sweeping executive orders from Donald J. Trump.

Upon his inauguration, Trump issued

, an executive order ending all diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) mandates, policies, and programs in the federal government. He also released an executive order mandating contractors and companies who work with the federal government to comply with the DEIA ban. The order labelled DEIA as illegal discrimination. Non-compliance can result to frozen funds and discontinued projects. As a result, companies like Walmart, Amazon, Google and Target have started eliminating their DEIA programs.

To respond to the dissolution of DEIA initiatives in the private sector, the People’s Union is planning a 24-hour national Economic Blackout on February 28. The blackout targets specific companies like Walmart and Amazon as well as fast food chains like McDonald’s. Read more about the blackout in this February 12 article by Newsweek’s Suzanne Blake.

As blind and visually impaired and LGBTQIA+ individuals, we benefit from DEIA policies and programs that prevent discrimination, promote fair and equitable access to information and ensure that spaces are welcoming and safe for all. There is nothing wasteful or illegal about diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, but the same cannot be said about waging war on vulnerable communities including disabled, LGBTQIA+, women, and BIPOC individuals. We are extremely disappointed and enraged by the actions of companies that have rescinded their DEIA initiatives to comply with what is obviously a morally reprehensible and mean-spirited act from Trump. 

BPI encourages our members, friends, and allies to take part in the National Economic Blackout on February 28. Our money is power and taking part in the blackout will hit them where it hurts the most—their bank accounts, even just for a day.

Believe in our collective power of NO! Save DEIA; Join the blackout!