In Response to Coeur d’Alene Pride

Dear PFund Community,  

Last Saturday, there was an attempted attack by white supremacists on the Coeur d’Alene Pride Festival in Idaho. This terrorist group built a systematic and detailed plan to incite a riot against those peacefully celebrating Pride.  And although this did not happen in our region, we must remember that Pride is an important moment for queer people across our country and this violence and hatred cannot be tolerated.  

As I write this, PFund — in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health—is awarding grants to Pride celebrations across the state so our community can safely gather. While we have spent so much time and so many resources as a nation fighting the coronavirus, we cannot ignore the plague of violent white supremacy. But if there’s anything queer people know how to do, it’s fighting and surviving a plague. 

At times, our work in this fight can feel inadequate or hopeless against the rising tide of hate and violence against our communities. But I want to remind you of something a friend recently said to me: We have something the terrorists don’t. 

We have love.  

As bell hooks wrote, “to love well is the task in all meaningful relationships, not just romantic bonds.” Our love for one another as queer people is what allows us to be in community together. And we must find a way to be in community with ourselves and find common cause with those different from us as our country struggles with infections of hate and ignorance. We must provide for the economic, emotional, spiritual, and social needs of our communities so that they are not lured by the false prophets of grievance and entitlement. 

Pride is more than just a gathering in a park or a parade with a lot of rainbow corporate logos; it is a radical act of defiance against anti-queer bigotry, misogyny, white supremacy and hate. Instead of being isolated and afraid, we will gather as a community with love and strength. And as James Baldwin wrote, “if love will not swing wide the gates, no other power will or can.” 

With love and solidarity, 

Aaron Zimmerman 
Executive Director 
PFund Foundation