The 7th annual Brighton Beach Pride: “United against fascism*”

PRESS RELEASE

Updated as of May 17, 2023, Brooklyn, NY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 21, 12 pm

Brighton Beach Boardwalk

March 20, 2023 Brooklyn, NY - QARAVAN is proud to host the 7th annual Brighton Beach Pride, the largest celebration of LGBTQ+ culture in Southern Brooklyn. The Pride will take place on Sunday, May 21st, 2023 from 11.30 to 2:00pm on Riegelmann Boardwalk, beginning at Coney Island and heading south towards Brighton Beach. As immigrants and queer people from a variety of backgrounds and countries of origin, we stand in solidarity with those fighting fascism all over the world.

The main goals of the 7th annual Brighton Beach Pride:

• Raise awareness of the rise of global fascism and stand up against continued Russian aggression in Ukraine.
• Support our Ukrainian LGBTQ+ siblings in their struggle for visibility and legal protection in Ukraine during the ongoing war.
• Fight against the wave of anti-trans and anti-queer legislation sweeping the United States.
• Celebrate the 15-year anniversary of QARAVAN.

“Ukraine and Ukraine's LGBTQ+ community in particular has been through a lot in the past year. We need to continue showing our support and solidarity, with their struggle, both in the fight of all Ukrainians against the military aggression of the Fascist Russian Federation, and for LGBTQ+ rights in Ukraine," said QARAVAN Board President Yelena Goltsman.

Fascist ideology is spreading through the world. In the USA it manifests itself in the avalanche of anti-trans legislation. These bills seek to limit access to gender-affirming healthcare and restrict access to public spaces based on gender identity. Currently, over 350 anti-trans bills have been introduced across the country this year alone. These bills threaten the human rights and freedoms of trans* people. Brighton Beach Pride is standing together with our trans* siblings in their fight against these politics of hate.

"As a community, we stand together in the fight for trans rights," said Lyosha Gorshkov, founder of Brighton Beach Pride. "We believe that everyone should have the right to live their lives authentically, without fear of discrimination or persecution. That's why we're using this event as a platform to raise awareness and push for progress towards full equality."

This year's speakers will include journalist Masha Gessen, pro-Ukrainian protest organizer Aleksandr Krapivkin, Trans Asylias founder Iman LeCaire, Queer Nation member Ann Northrop, and others.

We're urging people to advocate for LGBTQ+ community:go to demonstrations, call your legislators, donate, speak up! Please donate to QARAVAN fundraising initiative – we are using resources to support and aid those impacted by the ongoing attacks on our community locally and globally.

Together, we can make a difference and send a powerful message of hope and unity to the world. Join us for Brighton Beach Pride!

When: May 21st, 2023

Where: Riegelmann Boardwalk (Coney Island)

11:30 am - Gathering at Riegelmann Boardwalk (Polar Bear Club Walk entrance).

12 pm - Step Off - Marching towards Brighton 13th Street.

1:30 pm - Rally on the Brighton 13th Street and Boardwalk.

3:30 pm - Afterparty at the historic Coney Island USA (1218 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224)

About QARAVAN:

QARAVAN is a community-based network of Russian-speaking LGBTQ+ immigrants and allies. QARAVAN provides mutual aid and advocates on behalf of LGBTQ+ immigrants and other marginalized groups in order to change unjust policies, discriminatory societal attitudes, and oppressive ideologies for a more equitable world.

As a community and place of belonging, QARAVAN directly assists Russian-speaking individuals of many ethnicities who identify as LGBTQ+, working in solidarity with other groups to raise awareness of the unique challenges facing Russian-speaking LGBTQ+ immigrants and allies in the U.S. and worldwide.

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[1] Fascism is a political ideology characterized by forcible suppression of opposition and criticism, and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and racism, as well as violent oppression of “others”.