BY: Gabriel Lopez Kafati
2020 will truly go down in history as an unprecedented year. A Pandemic that changed everything; from the way in which we greet our loved ones, to the way in which we work. Our country has reached a new low point with regards to racial injustice. We were overwhelmed in a political race in which equality was at stake. Standing tall in proud in the mist of all the chaos is our home- Blind LGBT Pride International, BPI. Celebrating 20 years of serving the intersectionality of those of us who are blind and visually impaired members of the LGBTQ community, BPI continues to be a beacon of hope for all of us and many more!
It was 20 years ago, that Blind Friends of Gays and Lesbians, BFLAG, became a proud Special Interest Affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, ACB. It was a brave and bold action of our Founding Members, and an opportunity for ACB to stand on the right side of history and embrace diversity. BFLAG faced some opposition; but, most importantly, it received a warm welcoming from supporters, allies, and friends. As any young organization, BFLAG had to form its own personality; the first years gave many of its members an understanding of what they wanted the organization to be, for them and for ACB. The foundations were being laid and the young non-profit started to grow.
After almost a decade, the Leadership and Membership of BFLAG, decided that the organization had grown into something bigger and shinier. Therefore, it was decided that the organization deserved a name that was more representative of its mission and vision. The name Blind LGBT Pride International was adopted. BPI showed to be a proud and inclusive organization. It attracted not only blind and visually impaired members of the LGBTQ community, but straight and sighted allies as well.
In latest years, BPI has started a new type of growth. We have expanded in numbers and in colors. We decided to be more intentional when it came to attracting members and leaders who strengthened our diversity. The first sign of this new growth became evident when BPI began to enfold the role of more and more women. BPI also became known for its vibrant and strong presence at ACB’s Annual Conference and Conventions. With a program rich in education and entertainment, and with a welcoming space where everyone is always invited to come as they are, BPI has won the hearts and the attention of all Convention attendees.
The tenacity and hard work of the latest years has particularly flourished during this, our Anniversary. BPI’s show/podcast, Pride Connection has gained the love and admiration of ACB Radio Mainstream and beyond. When stay-in-place regulations were adopted in response to the Pandemic, BPI united us all and invited many more through our virtual events and community calls. We have strongly solidified our relationship with our parent organization. We led a series of conversations to educate the ACB Community in the usage of pronouns and inclusive language. We began a collaboration with ACB to establish a Storytelling Boot Camp for everyone in our broader community to strengthen their self-advocacy skills. We rose up to the occasion, and presented a rich program during ACB’s first Virtual Convention, including a virtual 20th-Anniversary celebration. We recommended a resolution, which ACB adopted, and together, we got NLS to incorporate an LGBTQ category within the BARD platform.
BPI’s 20th Anniversary has truly been remarkable. We have strengthened our presence within our Membership, within the structure of our parent organization, and with the LGBTQ community at large. We have attracted the involvement of new members and we have reinvigorated the excitement of long-time members. The newest additions to the BPI Family represent so many diverse age groups and letters of the LGBTQ community. Our new members and our long-time members have recommitted by taking crucial roles in BPI’s new and existing projects. BPI’s increased advocacy, education, and leisure initiatives have brought us much closer to the core of ACB. We have fostered new and exciting relationships with well-known organizations representing the LGBTQ community at a national level. In short, BPI has flourished exponentially during the last year, and this growth is just the beginning of a new stage in the life of this organization that is turning 20 in 2020!
As President of BPI, I feel so proud to lead our beloved organization into its next stage. I am grateful with our Founding Members for their vision and courage. I admire ACB for having recognized the need to have an affiliate that represented the intersectionality of visual impairment and sexual orientation. I love the family feeling that I get from each and every one of BPI’s members. I couldn’t have a complete celebration of BPI without proclaiming, once again, that I have found a home in this organization. I invite our dear members, allies, and friends to share a virtual toast with me. For 20 years of advocacy, service, and fun; and to many more years in which BPI will continue to promote the awareness, inclusion and well-being of all of us blind and visually impaired members of the LGBTQ community through education, advocacy, and peer-support.
Happy 20th Blind LGBT Pride International!