Laverne Cox Tells Us What It Means To Be Powered By Pride

June is international Pride month, and in NYC the celebrations culminate this Sunday, with the annual Pride parade. Those who have attended or marched in the Pride Parade before know that it’s sure to be a raucous affair with rainbows, scantily clad queer lovelies of all genders, and parties that start during the parade and go well into the night. Sometimes, in the midst of all the celebrations we forget what Pride really is about, however.

Mural by David Flores

Pride’s origins stem a struggle of lesbian, bisexual, gay, and trans women and men to be recognized, respected, and to survive. Before the parade, there were the riots led by trans women activists like, Sylvia Rivera, who fought back against police who raided the Stonewall inn.

Organizations like the Hendrick Martin Institute have worked tirelessly to fight for safer spaces for lgbtqa youth who are continually at risk for violence and abuse in the spirit of helping them to be recognized, respected, and to survive. This month, Equinox teamed up with HMI in a campaign called #poweredbypride. The campaign incorporates an interactive mural that you can snap a pic in front of. For every post that uses the hashtag #poweredbypride, Equinox will donate $1 to HMI.

“Pride for me is about living authentically, having the courage and power to stand tall spiritually, emotionally and physically in my truth.”

The queen herself, also known as Laverne Cox even posted up a snapshot of herself on Instagram this past week writing, “Pride for me is about living authentically, having the courage and power to stand tall spiritually, emotionally and physically in my truth”.

If you want to see the beautiful mural, and snag a pic in front of it but don’t have time during NYC’s busy party packed Pride week– don’t worry it’ll be there until July 15th!