For our programming and service provision to be truly equitable, and for us to achieve our mission, we must recognize and respond to the long-term, pervasive effects of all forms of racism on our community members, partners, and staff alike. Queer and trans people of color are directly and persistently impacted by systemic racism and economic injustice. That includes The Center’s clients, the majority of whom are LGBTQ Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color (BIPOC). We acknowledge the intersectionality of our clients’ identities and experiences, and aim to dismantle the multiple systemic barriers and oppressions that BIPOC communities face.
WHY WE ARE DOING THIS WORK
Our current efforts are built upon the previous pushes for internal change and we would not be where we are now without them. Yet, prior attempts to address racial equity at The Center have been ad hoc and have not produced transformative, lasting results. We have since dedicated financial resources, allocated staff time, and built leadership buy-in to help lead us toward substantive, structural change. We have committed to embedding racial equity principles into all internal and external work, to ensure a shared and consistent understanding around what is needed to improve.