Pride Month: A time to raise our voices
To our regular readers of our Eco Terreno blog,
We work hard to share content that highlights our vineyard and winemaking practices. However, sometimes we feel compelled to wade into topics that might be a bit heavier than our usual posts; this is one such example. As a gay-owned winery and a company dedicated to social responsibility, we feel it’s important that we use our voice. We appreciate you allowing us this deviation to hold space for this conversation.
“No pride for some of us without liberation for all of us.” – Marsha P. Johnson
Pride Month is equal parts celebration and a time for reflection on how far inclusivity has come, and how much further we have to go. Despite the LGTBQIA2S+ community making strides forward in terms of safety and visibility, the lives of Black trans individuals have always been among the most vulnerable. Along with startling numbers of homelessness, suicide, and domestic abuse, the rates of murder are difficult to exaggerate. Between 2017 and 2021, the number of trans murders nearly doubled, with 3/4 of these victims being Black trans women.
We believe that learning and listening leads to change. As a company with Black team members and with trans team members, working together as one team, we’ve expanded our understanding of what it means to be an ally. Without the current presence of any Black trans team members, we’ve set out to learn as much as we can and use our platform to raise awareness.
While it’s always important to uplift marginalized voices throughout the community, the disproportionate amounts of violence and erasure Black trans women face compels us to bring them to the forefront of our Pride month blog post. Below are activists and nonprofit foundations that are at the forefront of this fight that can help us all work toward a safer world.
The National Center for Transgender Equality
Founded in 2003 by trans activists who recognized a need for change, the National Center for Transgender Equality is known for its work in DC and across the country. They have projects that run the gambit of needs, like Racial and Economic Justice Initiative, Trans Legal Services Network, and Families for Trans Equality.
CeCe McDonald
CeCe McDonald is a Black transgender activist who was moved into activism after being assaulted in a hate-related attack in 2012. She was then imprisoned for defending herself, which ended in her spending 41-months in a male prison. Since her release, she’s advocated for trans women of color by unveiling the rampant racism and transphobia in our criminal justice system.
Kylar Broadus
As the first trans person to speak in front of the U.S. Senate in favor of the Employment Nondiscrimination Act, Kylar Broadus is an incredibly influential voice. After transitioning over 20 years ago, Broadus has founded the Trans People of Color Coalition and the Transgender Law & Policy Institute.
The Black Trans Advocacy Coalition
This foundation fights specifically for healthcare rights, housing equality, and employment equality for Black transgender people. They also work to advocate for accurate crime reporting, as a shocking amount of trans people are misgendered by law enforcement and in the media.
Although Eco Terreno is first and foremost a winery, we’re incredibly passionate about LGBTQS2IA+ rights and believe that it’s important to speak up. We’re gay-owned and operated and incredibly proud of this fact, with a Purpose Line of wines that helps reflect our values. Along with encouraging everyone to be aware of their privilege during this month and to uplift the voices of the marginalized, Pride is also a time of joy. With that in mind, pop a bottle of our Pink Pride Rosé, celebrate individuality, and don’t feel afraid of those difficult conversations that are ultimately making our world a better place.
Join The Buzz – our mailing list with seasonal news from the vineyard and tips from our experts on living a more eco-friendly life.