Campus Pride issues statement on shooting of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile

Campus Pride issues the following statement in response to the shooting of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile:

We are faced with yet more tragedy involving black men shot to death by police officers. This level of racism and violence by a system in place to ‘serve and protect’ is intolerable and unjust.

What happened to Alton Sterling and Philando Castile is an outrage. This systemic violence is fueled by racism and prejudice against people of color, primarily black men.

Campus Pride urges students to continue holding vigils and protest peacefully to let your voice be heard. Please continue to process the anger and grief we all are feeling in ways to build positive actions and a movement for full reform of the criminal justice system.

Campus Pride believes that the work we must do requires an intersectional approach to justice. We cannot fight for the rights of LGBTQ people without addressing the ills of racism, police brutality, immigration and other systemic injustices. These are all LGBTQ issues.

“Until we are all free…none of us are free.” Emma Lazarus

“We see too many LGBTQ organizations dismiss the reality of anti-Blackness,” said Romeo Jackson, President of the Campus Pride Advisory Board. “Many queer, black people exist, live and, are often killed, at the intersection of white supremacy and anti-queer and Trans violence. Indeed, #BlackLivesMatter.”

Campus Pride is the leading national educational organization for LGBTQ and ally college students and campus groups building future leaders and safer, more LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities. The organization provides resources and services to thousands of college students and nearly 1400 campuses annually. Learn more online at CampusPride.org.