Tag: press releases

Blind Lgbt Pride International Celebrates Pride Month With Defiant Joy And Unwavering Resistance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

June 6, 2025

 

Blind LGBT Pride International (BPI) stands proudly with the global LGBTQIA+ community this June in celebrating Pride Month. We believe that Pride is both a party and a protest. It is a joyful declaration of identity and love, and a fierce call to action. We dance in the streets and we raise our fists, because visibility matters; Inclusion matters. And for blind and low vision LGBTQIA+ people, we will always make sure there is room for everyone to be seen, to be heard, and to belong.

 

This year, we find ourselves celebrating in a world that feels increasingly hostile and uncertain. In the United States, hard-fought progress on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility is being rolled back. The Trump administration continues to promote rhetoric and policies that threaten our rights, our safety, and our dignity  as human beings. Across the globe, LGBTQIA+ people face criminalization, violence, and deep systemic injustice. This moment is especially dangerous for trans, non-binary, and gender nonconforming individuals, as well as for BIPOC, immigrants, and disabled members of our community, who often bear the heaviest burdens of hatred and exclusion. Injustice is everywhere, from legislation, to violence, to social rejection. And this is why we protest. This is why we march. But even as we rage, we revel. We throw glitter in the face of hatred and bask in the glow of resilience. We honor those who have come before us not just with our resistance but with our joy. They fought hard for this space and we will dance in it.

 

In the face of all this, the need for community has never been more urgent. Pride is a reminder that we are not alone. It is a call to show up for each other, to be loud, visible, and united in all the ways we can. Join a parade. March in protests. Share your art, your music, and your voice. Start tough conversations with your family, your friends, and your community. Write to your representatives. Speak out online or offline. Host a gathering or attend one. And never underestimate the power of simply being there for someone queer. A kind word, a smile, a listening ear, or a gesture of support can make all the difference. Whether you take center stage or offer quiet encouragement from the sidelines, every act of pride matters. There is no one right way to show up, just show up. We really need it now more than ever.

 

So yes, we are here, we are queer, and we are not backing down. We will celebrate with glitter and with grit. We will protest with placards and with power. And to those who are not out yet, we see you and we will welcome you with open arms when you are ready. To those who cannot come out because of safety, circumstance, or fear, you are still an essential part of our community. You are loved, and we are fighting for you too.

 

Happy Pride from BPI. Put on your most fabulous outfit (or at least your least wrinkled T-shirt) and join us in making the world brighter, bolder, and just a little more fabulous. And yes, guide dogs are welcome, because Pride is for every member of our community, paws included. Who knows? We may need a little help finding the glitter too.

 

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 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.