The LA Pride Resist March kicked off its festivities this past Sunday in West Hollywood and just as the crowd joined together to celebrate universal love, that same camaraderie was apparent when it came to dissing Donald Trump and his administration.
And who was the queen of shade? Why, no other than everyone’s favorite political auntie, Representative Maxine Waters!
“Impeach 45!” she yelled to the crowd, who erupted into applause according to The Daily News. “He’s not my president. He’s not your president. He lies. He cheats. He’s a bully.”
Waters was joined by fellow representatives Adam Schiff and Ted Lieu, House minority leader Nancy Pelosi as well as other actors and musicians who spoke in protest of Trump’s approach to LGBTQ issues, immigration and the Paris climate agreement.
“We resist because Donald Trump has been disrespectful to the LGBTQ community,” said Representative Lieu. “We’re going to take our country back.”
The LA Pride Resist March made history this year, taking place of the standard annual LA Pride parade for the first time.
Organizers billed the political parade as #ResistMarch on social media. The organizers strove to show support for the LGBTQ community, immigrants, Muslims and anyone else who feel their rights “are in jeopardy” under the Trump administration.
Keeping true to its origins, RuPaul kicked off the activists’ march with the ever-present theme of love.
“It’s about love and giving love, being able to receive love,” said RuPaul. “That’s our secret weapon. That’s the one thing they don’t have is our love, our music and our joy.” RuPaul’s speech was followed by a moment of the silence for the 49 people killed last June during the Pulse Night Club massacre in Orlando, Florida.
Jussie Smollett also joined the line of famous speakers, affirming that he refused to allow his rights to be snatched from him. “We are not going back. We will not. We will not,” Smollett said.
Pelosi dropped some policy goals on the crowd. “We want to expand the Civil Rights Act to protect LGBT Americans,” she said.
Auntie Maxine and crew weren't the only cultural heavyweights representing at the march. Singer/actor Adam Lambert was there. Chris Rock showed up fully woke. And America Ferrera gave a speech that brought the plight of Dreamers to the fore.
She introduced Dreamer Jose Guevara to the crowd, saying, “Your liberation is bound up in my liberation … We refuse to be divided by the things that separate us … We choose love.”
We’re certainly glad that the LGBTQ community has this safe space to speak out as well as celebrate continued love. The fight goes on!