Wednesday, July 19th might have been just a normal Wednesday for some, but for others it was a chance to protest recent Supreme Court Rulings. People gathered in front of the Supreme Court to show they don’t agree with recent bills.
We were protesting recent rulings on LGBTQ rights, affirmative action, and student loan debt, and the protest was a part of a nationwide protest around the US called Youth Dissent.
“Me and my group were already thinking of being more active in more visible spaces like that and I know we had a lot of fun and hope to do more there,” said one activist.
At the protest, we had a land acknowledgment, speakers, chants, and even some music. The speakers were Xander, QYA’s Head Of Programs, myself, one of our Birthday Card Leads and Shaplaie Brooks, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth! Each of our speeches focused on different things.
We had unique posters with messages propped up, and protesters also brought posters with unique messages. Some of the messages said “Justices should not have Sugar Daddies, reform and expand SCOTUS to save it,” “diversity is a necessity,” “freedom of religion means freedom from yours,” and “legislate guns, not people.” “We are beautiful.”
Some chants that were shouted were “Queer rights are human rights” and “What do we want, our rights? When do we want it? Now.” Protesters also led chants, and some of the chants they led were “It’s our history, don’t deny it! Stonewall was an f—ing riot” and “Trans rights are not up for debate” with a megaphone they brought.
Giving up is not an option. Being silent is not an option. Being complacent is not an option. Supporting the LGBTQ community means supporting what it means to be human in all its forms. Trans lives and healthcare are not up for debate, and I’ll fight back with my voice and photos always.
Robin Fader
Overall, it was definitely a well-needed protest because we were able to show that all humans deserve rights and that “Giving up is not an option. Being silent is not an option. Being complacent is not an option. Supporting the LGBTQ community means supporting what it means to be human in all its forms. Trans lives and healthcare are not up for debate, and I’ll fight back with my voice and photos always,” said Robin Fader, a human rights photographer.
We were also able to all come together and show our support to queer and trans youth because it’s a hard time across the nation for queer and trans youth, and not all of them can safely attend a protest. “I enjoyed seeing people bring some intersectionality to our resistance, and I liked having visibility of our messaging for the lots of people walking by,” said an activist.
Our protest also showed that taking away resources like affirmative action only does harm, not good, for citizens, and we were able to demonstrate that no change is too small and we all have the capacity to make a difference.
“First let me say that I only document and attend events and actions that are important to my heart. I’ll remember feeling so proud to support QYA, and feeling so very inspired by the young people who were brave and confident enough to be out there. It is because of them that I have hope that their lives will be lived in freedom and acceptance,” said Robin Fader (she/her), a human rights photographer.
