A Heartfelt Thank you: Introduction
As we celebrate Pride Month this June and gear up for Plural Pride in July, I wanted to take a moment to extend my deepest gratitude to Civitai for their unwavering support of the LGBTQ2IAS+ community. While many corporations may engage in rainbow washing, it’s clear that Civitai genuinely cares about its user base and strives to create an inclusive environment.
A thank you story
Since joining Civitai in January 2023 as a nonbinary/transmasculine individual, I have felt a profound sense of acceptance and support. The journey from a regular user to becoming part of the creator's program has been remarkable, and I am proud to be associated with such a compassionate and forward-thinking platform.
It’s important to acknowledge that no organization is perfect. Civitai has its challenges and areas for improvement, but their commitment to their community shines through. Despite the significant venture capital backing and corporate backgrounds, the human element is never lost. The team behind Civitai has families, joys, and responsibilities just like the rest of us, and their empathy and dedication are palpable.
Navigating life as a nonbinary/transmasculine person, especially with various diagnoses, can be daunting both online and offline. It’s a constant effort to explain and advocate for oneself amidst diverse perspectives and backgrounds. Civitai has been a haven, teaching me civility and resilience. In our LGBTQ2IAS+ community, full support is ideal, but finding allies and creating safe spaces where we might not expect them is equally vital.
Pride, at its core, is rooted in activism and resilience. From the Stonewall riots to today's ongoing struggles for safety and freedom, the fight for our rights is far from over. My role in this movement is to cultivate and share spaces that are safe and affirming. Civitai has been instrumental in this mission, offering a platform where creativity and identity can flourish.
A Brief History of Pride Month
Pride Month is celebrated every June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots, a pivotal event in the LGBTQ2IAS+ rights movement. On June 28, 1969, the patrons of the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City, resisted a police raid, sparking a series of protests and demonstrations that are widely regarded as the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ2IAS+ rights movement. The first Pride march took place on June 28, 1970, commemorating the first anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. Since then, Pride Month has grown to include parades, festivals, and events that celebrate diversity, promote equality, and advocate for the rights of the LGBTQ2IAS+ community.
A Note on Plural Pride
Plural Pride, celebrated in July, acknowledges and supports individuals with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and related conditions. While not as widely recognized as Pride Month, Plural Pride emphasizes the importance of visibility, acceptance, and support for those who identify as part of a plural system. It is a time to celebrate the unique experiences and strengths of plural communities, advocate for mental health awareness, and foster environments where all identities are respected and understood.
To the Future from Earth & Dusk
On behalf of Earth & Dusk—comprising myself, Duskfallcrew, and my Queer Platonic partner, best friend, and business partner, Earthnicity—we extend our heartfelt thanks to Civitai. While I can’t speak for the entire staff or the broader creator program, our gratitude is immense.
Looking ahead, we are excited to contribute more to Pride celebrations in July. Though our plans are ambitious, they may unfold gradually. Pride and Plural Pride are not just annual events for us—they are integral to our daily lives and identities.
We hope to make a significant impact for Pride in July, but this depends on a few playful contingencies. We've been teasing each other about "WANT GAME WILL CRY"—they want Hogwarts Legacy, and we want the new expansion of Final Fantasy XIV, Dawntrail. We haven't yet pre-ordered Dawntrail, and we're still working through the post-patch content. So if you can afford us some time, we might not hit everything all at once... because for us, Pride and Plural Pride are celebrated 24/7.
Remember, Pride is always a riot. It’s a celebration, a protest, and a call for continued activism and solidarity. Thank you, Civitai, for standing with us.
With pride and gratitude,
Earth & Dusk
P.s. the image was not generated by us we were trying to sort Earthnicity's pride lora before the end of the month, and this caught our eye from Niji/Midjourney.
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