PRIDE Community Safety Plan

Or how you should be marching anyway

Beloveds:

I want to share with you something I worked on last month for my friends at ReconcilingWorks. I was asked to use my experience as a street chaplain, and with nonlaw enforcement-centered community defense, to create a guide for this year’s PRIDE events that congregations, groups, and organizations could use due to the threat of increased violence against LGBTQIA+ people this year’s PRIDE. It was a really emotionally and somatically hard task, but a worthy one. To create this guide for y’all, I had to re-live every attempt on my and my friend’s lives by others in acts of political violence. This guide, whether you want to take these suggestions seriously or not, was bought with the blood and lives of good people that I knew.

I have been busy this week with getting some re-training and some prep for a few events, and well, just in general, it’s always good to re-up on skills, work on muscle memory, see comrades, and remember you aren’t alone.

I want you to remember you aren’t alone.

Below is the letter I wrote and the “Day of the Guide” I created to be printed, folded, and laminated.

“Henry James said, “Live, live all you can. It’s a mistake not to.” And Shakespeare said—and this is what I take to be the truth about everybody’s life all of the time—“Out of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety.” Art is here to prove, and to help one bear, the fact that all safety is an illusion. In this sense, all artists are divorced from and even necessarily opposed to any system whatever.” -James Bladwin “The Struggle of the Artist” 

We start with this quote from the incomparable queer sibling, artist, and writer James Baldwin for several reasons. The first is that we want to honor the fact that for many of us in this community, the current circumstances are nothing new. Many of us are unfortunately used to not being able to rely on the systems of these United States to guarantee their safety as an oppressed person. Or even worse, when those same systems are turned against an oppressed community with their full administrative, legislative, and judicial powers, this we know is not a new experience even for queer or trans people in this country.

Second, James is putting his finger on the heart of the issue: safety. What is safety? Can one ever say they are truly safe? James answers with a firm no, but allows this frightening conclusion to be delivered by Henry James and Shakespeare. 

The final reason is that James’s conclusion, made in the fall of 1962 in NYC, is the conclusion we must come to in 2025 as LGBTQIA+ people, activists, organizers, accomplices, neighbors, clergy, their communities of faith, and found family. All safety is an illusion. 

Reconciling Works, working with rev. lenny duncan (they/them) has created what we are calling a “community safety guide” for PRIDE ’25 because we anticipate increased anti-trans, anti-queer, and anti-black and brown violence at PRIDE gatherings around the country. With divisive political rhetoric targeting trans and queer people and often weaponizing transphobia in particular, our concerns have crystallized around three key community vulnerabilities in particular.

First is so-called “lone wolf” style attacks, and the second being organized so-called “counter protest”, and finally and perhaps a more personal concern: lgbtqia+ affirming faith communities', non profit partners, and accomplices in the battle for liberation seeming lack of clear and sound guidance of what their increased visibility in the public square in these times and spaces means, and more importantly: what they should do in response.

Why start a community safety guide by pointing out that all safety is an illusion? 

Because that also means community safety is an art, not a science. There are no guarantees when any of us stand in spaces that are disputed, stand with those being silenced, or pushback against heteronormativity and its parent white supremacy. We are at risk in this country as LGBTQIA+ people until the day we aren’t, and PRIDE has become a temporal autonomous zone and protest again. While we recognize in many ways that this is a recapturing of the original spirit of the event- a riot in reaction to state, police, and criminal elements that abused, victimized, and brutalized LGBTQIA+ peoples with impunity- we recognize that it is also scary for many in the community. 

Because it means you may be participating in an event where you can’t rely upon the systems normally in place that make one feel safe. Our message is simple.

We keep each other safe. Community is our shield, getting to know your town, your local PRIDE committee, your neighbors. I toured the proposed route a few times in the weeks and months leading up, talking to shop owners. Getting to know the houseless neighbors along the way who will have their whole week disrupted along the route. Seeing how the local officials police the area when the public isn’t around. Learning the context. 

That's why our first recommendation is not to rely solely on law enforcement officials and officers for your community's safety. Nor should you rely on LEOs to provide safety for any trans people in your community. LEOs are citizens with political, social, and inherent biases. They are never going to be as invested as you are in your people. 

Our second recommendation is that you use the suggested community safety roles outlined in this letter and the laminated cards we have provided for the day of PRIDE. The suggested roles are drawn from the vast experience, and sacrifice of trans and queer comrades who have been frontline activists over the last decade. These roles may be familiar to those in your community who protest. They are brought to us by rev. lenny duncan, who credits their comrades from Justice For Patrick Kimmons in Portland for this shared learning, whom they were the chaplain for from May ‘20- May ’23. In particular, they wanted to mention that this safety guide was written while holding the memory of June “T-Rex” Wilkens, who gave her life in defense of the black community at Normandale Park in Portland, Oregon, 3 years ago. 

The third recommendation is: Believe us. ReconcilingWorks has built a 50-year relationship with you that we consider to be our most precious resource. We do not use that social capital lightly. We are not being alarmist, but suggesting you take common sense precautions that activists, leaders, and organizers have been taking for the last almost decade because this is who we are. 

We are your trusted partners in LGBTQIA+ liberation when your institutions don't know how to walk alongside you. Our continued commitment to that shoulder-to-shoulder walk and, most importantly, the work of LGBTQIA+ liberation will ensure we lay the groundwork to be around for another 50 years.  This is our calling, even in these times when our advocacy, work, and struggle seem hopeless. 

RIC is here to remind you, our partner communities, organizations, and the world PRIDE community, that we are the living embodiment of hope for many peoples as the LGBTQIA+ community and its public advocates and accomplices. PRIDE is incredibly important, and this letter is to encourage those of you of good conscience and heart that there is a way forward. We have seen it playing out across the country. Maybe you chose not to participate in the black movement work in the last decade, but we give thanks to those who have. This guide will be relying heavily on the experience of our trans and queer elders, in particular, those black elders from the movement for black lives as the most experienced organizers and as our community safety guide’s “North Star.” 

Suggested Roles: 

Community Defense Team. 

De-Escalation Team. 

Motorcade Team. 

Community Counselor/Chaplain/Team. 

Street Medic/Community EMT/or, at a bare minimum, a “Stop the Bleed” trained team of 2 volunteers. 

Team Logistics. 

This would be a minimum team of seven to nine volunteers for every float, group, or organization. We know this is a heavy lift on top of what your normal volunteer ask is. We also understand that political, legal, logistical, religious, or moral reasoning or convictions may drive some of you to skip some of these roles. That is why we highlighted in bold the ones we believe are in good conscience: a community's bare minimum safety team goals. That is also why in the explanation below, you will find we started with the most controversial role first and ended with the most complicated one to fill. 

1. Community Defense: We want to start by saying that Community Defense does not mean harming other people. We remind you of our first recommendation at the beginning of this letter. That means anyone who has a punitive, force-driven mindset is not suited for this role. That also doesn't mean you dismiss out of countenance any federal, state, or local legal means of self-defense. This could be for some communities availing themselves of their 2nd Amendment rights, some to even open carry. While RIC is a committed group of peacemakers, the art of waging peace is not a passive one. While these voices who often speak of defending our communities are often silenced or treated as extreme, there is wisdom in hearing these voices out when appropriate and legal. This, of course, is every community's path to walk with their own conscience, leaders, and community discussion. A community defense team does not require armed or overt displays of force to create “safety.” Although that can help with the illusion, it often isn’t what a defense team is called to do. But we suggest two individuals who will be dressed in clothing that will help them in a scuffle, or to intervene in a fight after a de-escalation team member signals for them, or to step in the way of someone who approaches someone in your group while marching. This could be as simple as a light motorcycle jacket with padding, boots, jeans, and gloves. It could be some sort of ballistic or edge weapon protective gear for both of these volunteers. You would want your defense team to have a couple of radios with at least a few miles sight to sight range and ear pieces. They should always, unless needed, escort you on either side of the bulk of your group nearest the sidewalks. They are only to move to step in, break up, and thwart any violence. Never to respond in kind, only to protect others. This requires not only quite simply courageous members of your community, but experienced ones if available. This role requires discipline and a commitment to always act in ways that minimize violence, even if they must use it in self-defense. RIC reminds you that courage is being afraid and simply showing up and doing it anyway. 

2. De-escalation Team: These are two volunteers who are trained or have experience in De-escalation. RIC knows that this term can mean many different things to different organizers, organizations, and leaders. What we mean is individuals who know how to approach angry, possibly violent, and dangerous seeming threatening citizens to stop escalating encounters that may turn violent. Or step in between our people as they encounter hate groups throughout the day who often have a lawful permit to spew rhetoric and are expressing their 1st amendment rights in the worst way possible. Often, it isn’t even organized hate that a de-escalation team will have to intervene in, but citizens caught up in the political zeitgeist who have unplanned encounters with a pride celebration. A common example is someone threatening to drive their car through a smaller parade route because they have been “inconvenienced.” (Your Motorcade team should have already alerted you in this situation, or at least standing in the intersection before your group crosses.) A de-escalation team knows that in that situation, this person is trying to build up to violence, and also knows it isn’t their job to change that person's heart or to win an argument. It is to be a non-anxious presence long enough for your group to pass the danger and to leave an impression that you are real people, not walking political rhetoric. That the consequences are real. Rev. lenny suggests something as simple as “I hear you, friend, but is any of this really worth maybe prison or seriously getting hurt? Or someone’s kid? My name is #$%$#. I bet you got someone who would miss you if something terrible happened in a moment of anger.” Remember, nonviolent communication is key. People just want to be heard, and you just need to listen long enough for your group to move on. This team should also have one member with a radio and earpiece to stay in communication with the team and one without that do the initial approach. Note: If community guards are a choice you make, one should stay near but away from the encounter until the de-escalator moves on. 

3. Motorcade: Two volunteers on bikes, electric bikes, electric skateboards, or scooters. Bikes are preferable. The motorcade simply stays ahead of the group until they reach the next intersection or turn on the parade route. They will park their bikes or vehicles in the center of the intersection before your group crosses. Once the group crosses, they go ahead and repeat the process. They should have radios and be in communication with the rest of the teams. If LEOs are handling parade pace, rhythm, and intersection crossing, your group should wait until the Motorcade team also signals to cross. Remember, all the authorities will do is yell. Assign two people who will be at the head of your group and who will marshall your group across intersections after the motorcade gives the all-clear. 

4. Community Counselor/Chaplain: Not all violence is physical. We hope no one will encounter any, but more than likely, it will be emotional, moral, and rhetorical anti-queer and anti-trans violence. Many of your people will encounter hatred in incredibly visceral ways, and the body keeps the score. In other words, people in your group may experience trauma. We suggest you assign a counselor, therapist, or faith leader to this role solely this year. They should do nothing else for the entire event. Even on a PRIDE day, where everything goes perfectly full of LGBTQIA+ joy and visibility, there is an emotional cost to being visible. We ask that you use a community-first modality to your engagement with PRIDE this year. That means people, their real feelings, and the real impact this all is having on them must be the priority. We can only win by healing our deep wounds within ourselves and walking alongside those who are experiencing pain. This role should be a high priority this year. 

5. Street Medic/Community EMT/or, at the bare minimum a “Stop the Bleed” trained team of 2 volunteers: This seems self-explanatory, but what we do not mean is just checking to make sure your local municipality assigned EMT’s or that your PRIDE committee has hired EMT’s to be along the route. Furthermore, someone who is with your group who has care and first aid items is a bare minimum that is no longer acceptable. That isn’t a medical issue; it is an access issue needing to be addressed. If you aren’t carrying at least aspirin, some hydration supplies, and a few basic items, how would elder or disabled LGBTQIA+ siblings participate? We mean a trained EMT, Paramedic, or experienced street Medic. If you don’t know the difference, or the volunteer can’t explain the difference between those to you clearly, a nurse or doctor in your group might know and can tell you. If you can’t find a volunteer who has these “bonafides,” then find a local “stop the bleed” training and learn how to treat a GSW in the first moments. We have a suggested supply list medic kit on the medic supplies card. 

6. Team Logistics: An experienced organizer who has done direct action and can help you move all these teams around and help guide you through tough situations. This person if put in place must be the one to guide each group through any situation they encounter day of and should be listened to as the community sets aside authority or lead. We suggest experience because we want a person who will use your most precious resource, your people, sparingly. But it’s always a good strategy to have one person watching the whole action, march, or parade. We also know that not having any named leadership is a political commitment of many people, so we make this an optional role. For those of you in communities, institutions, or organizations with no relationship with anyone with the experience to guide you through times or situations like this currently and locally, perhaps just use this section to ask yourself why. 

Written in sincere hope of LGBTQIA+ liberation: Reconciling Works. 

LINK TO THE DAY OF GUIDE:

Here is an example-