This year, we must march with defiance for Pride

On June 1, Philadelphia will pulse with the energy of Pride. A celebration, yes, but more important, a declaration. A march, not just a parade. A movement, not just a moment.

At a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under attack at both the state and federal levels, stepping into the streets is not simply about festivity — it is about survival and courage.

The assault on LGBTQ+ rights cannot be ignored. Across the country, politicians and extremist groups are working to erase, silence, and marginalize the LGBTQ+ community. Book bans targeting queer literature. Anti-trans legislation threatening healthcare access. Attacks on drag performers under the guise of morality policing. Efforts to reverse marriage equality.

These are not isolated incidents: They are part of a concerted effort to push LGBTQ+ individuals back into the shadows.

This march matters more than ever.

And in Pennsylvania? The battle rages on. Legislation attempting to limit trans rights. LGBTQ+ youth struggling against discriminatory policies in schools. The freedom to exist openly and authentically is being challenged in ways that demand action.

This march matters more than ever. Philadelphia is a city that knows resistance. It is the birthplace of revolution, the home of movements that have reshaped the nation. To march on June 1 is to claim that legacy; to stand in solidarity with every LGBTQ+ person threatened, denied, or dismissed. Visibility is power. Showing up says: We refuse to disappear.

Pride has never been just a party. It began with the first such protest in Philadelphia in 1965, even before the riot at Stonewall. It has always been a fight against oppression, and this year — this march — is an act of defiance against those who seek to strip away our rights.

It takes courage to march when forces want you to be silent. It takes strength to celebrate love when policies attempt to delegitimize it. And it takes unwavering resilience to be visible when visibility itself is under siege.

We must meet erasure with existence.

Let’s all — the LGBTQ+ community and our allies — stand up and march. Be present, be loud, be undeniable.

Let’s support local and national LGBTQ+ organizations that fight every day to protect queer lives in Philadelphia and beyond.

Let’s amplify the voices of the most vulnerable: Black, brown, Indigenous and POC queer individuals, transgender communities, and LGBTQ+ youth face the greatest threats. Their stories must be heard and fought for. Support LGBTQ+ small presses and bookshops. Attend queer readings. Tell your own stories.

Let’s vote and advocate. Laws shape lives. Elect leaders who fight for equality and call out policies that harm LGBTQ+ communities.

Rights are never guaranteed. Every freedom won has been fought for, often through pain, sacrifice, and the courage of those who refused to be silenced. This fight is far from over, and complacency is a luxury the LGBTQ+ community cannot afford.

Philadelphia’s march on June 1 is not just about Pride. It is about protest, power, resilience, and an unwavering refusal to accept oppression. Yes, there’s joy. But let it be a statement to those who wish to erase us: We are here. We are loud. We will not disappear.

This is the time for courage. This is the time for action. This is the time to march.

Jobert E. Abueva is a writer and author of "Boy Wander — A Coming of Age Memoir" (Rattling Good Yarns Press). He lives in New Hope.