AUGUSTA PRIDE

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones of Randy Savi, husband of board member Nick Savi, who passed away last week. Randy was a former committee member as he and Nick were avid supporters of the pride movement. They were together for 54 years, married since 2015. A painter in his spare time and arts enthusiast, Randy often helped at past Augusta Pride festivals at the volunteer tent or gate ticket entrance until health issues prevented further efforts. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and pride family. A memorial service will be held at MCC on February 22, at 2 pm. We honor his memory and thank him for his community service.

“Transgender Day of Remembrance seeks to highlight the losses we face due to anti-transgender bigotry and violence. I am no stranger to the need to fight for our rights, and the right to simply exist is first and foremost. With so many seeking to erase transgender people — sometimes in the most brutal ways possible — it is vitally important that those we lose are remembered, and that we continue to fight for justice.”
– Transgender Day of Remembrance founder Gwendolyn Ann Smith
🏳️‍⚧️⚧️🕯️🏳️‍⚧️⚧️🕯️

If you're able to of course!

HAPPY NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

On Thursday, the National Su***de Hotline will close for LGBTQ youth. We are disappointed in the decision and that the change seems unnecessary, as it costs nothing to have that subset of callers. Moreover countless studies have shown that subgroups - men v women, old v young, straight v gay - have different needs in su***de therapy and it's a shame that such is not fully appreciated by this decision. 2 out of 5 LGBTQ youths have thought about su***de, while 1 out of 10 have attempted it (https://www.newportacademy.com/resources/mental-health/lgbt-su***de-rates/). Rumors that Canada now offers a number for Americans is unfortunately false, but there is a trans hotline to offer support for both Canadians and Americans: 1-877-330-6366, it connects to Trans Lifeline, a nonprofit, peer-led support line that has served both American and Canadian transgender people since 2014. Luckily, The Trevor Project will continue to offer its own independent services at https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ or their number at 1-866-488-7386