The Navajo Nation gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and two-spirit community will host the largest Indigenous Pride in the country in it’s sovereign capital - Window Rock, Arizona - from June 28-29, 2019.
To mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City, all planned events will acknowledge the lifelong work of transgender women of color and honor Indigenous youth activism.
Organizers from Diné Pride have announced a monumental two-day celebration that includes a Diné Transgender Visibility Symposium, Welcome Reception with Queer Showcase, a rainbow lighting of the Navajo Nation Council Chamber, 5K Color Run, a Pride Festival at the Window Rock Veterans Memorial Park with many national headliners, and an After-Party hosted by nationally-renowned Galaxy DJs in Gallup, New Mexico.
Using the sacredness of Diné principles and the history of our people, the 2019 Diyin ‘Adánitsiiskees event will highlight many social and educational disparities that affect our LGBTQ+ relatives today. Far too long, Western enculturation has distorted identity and the existence of our LGBTQ+ relatives amongst the Diné people. We plan to change that narrative because we are all sacred and our teachings are non-discriminatory
- Andy Nez, Pride Executive Director
Community members selected the theme: Diyingo ‘Adánitsiiskees – I am a sacred being – because all gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and two-spirit Diné relatives are sacred and should find pride in who they are.
There is nothing more traditional than being Navajo & LGBTQ. For millennia, we were honored and respected for the roles we took in the community. Since 2005, we have been challenging the Navajo government to repeal the Diné Marriage Act because it’s the only tribal law that directly discriminates against our community. Our Pride will be a showcase of LGBTQ political power, of our beauty and identities, and demonstrate to tribal leaders our shared resistance against discrimination.
- Alray Nelson, Pride Chief Operating Officer
The following have been selected as 2019 Champions and will be honored in a ceremony at Diné Pride: Trudie Jackson, a UNM doctoral student and the first trans woman to run for Navajo Nation President. Mattee Jim, a lifelong health advocate at First Nations Community Health Source in Albuquerque, NM, and a beloved Two-Spirit leader. Jock Soto, a world-renowned dancer for the New York Ballet Company and a LGBTQ+ youth mentor. And Congresswoman Sharice Davids, the first lesbian Native American woman elected to the United States Congress.
Supporters interested in volunteering or learning more about Diné Pride can visit us: NavajoNationPride.com or EqualityNavajo.o