The first Friday of legislative session marked LGBTQ+ equality, visibility and advocacy day in the capital. It’s an effort to promote awareness and cooperation between the community and lawmakers
Multiple organizations from every corner of South Dakota made their way to Pierre to make their voices heard to lawmakers.
Benjamin Sherman came representing Equality South Dakota. He said efforts like these are essential to make sure every voice is heard.
“It means to show these people that we exist," Sherman said. "There’s a lot of times where people just don’t see the LGBT community in their lives, to humanize ourselves, and also to be here to speak to them about any bills that may directly impact the LGBT+ and two-spirit community.”
In the last few years, battles orbiting the transgender community have taken center stage in Pierre.
Jack Fonder came representing the Sioux Falls-based Transformation Project. He said the transgender community must be included in the conversation.
“Our voices also need to be heard, and we need to be sure we’re being represented – and by ‘we’ I mean the whole LGBTQ+ community," Fonder said. "It can feel very anxious in here and not so friendly, which is unfortunate, but we’re hoping we can change that. We want to invite anybody down that wants to have a conversation.”
Rapid City-based Uniting Resilience organizes from a Native American perspective. Cofounder Felipa De Leon-Mousseau said little changes if two spirit voices are forgotten.
“We need to be here to let them know that we are here, we’re going to be here, and we’re not going nowhere," De Leon-Mousseau said. "Hopefully we can make an impact and change some of the mindsets. There are some horrific mindsets just in this one building.”
This is the tenth LGBTQ+ visibility day in the capital.