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Q&A with Riley Reed: My Involvement in Pride Efforts in the US

In celebration of Pride month, we give space to young activists who address the rights of the LGBTQ+ community every day, like Riley who tells us about her experience in the US and shares a valuable message of solidarity for other young activists. 

Image credit: Young WILPF
  • 4 min
Riley Reed
28 June 2024

How was your experience as an LGBTQ+ advocate?

My experiences as an LGBTQ+ advocate in the United States have been both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Serving as the Pride Chair for UNA-USA, I had the opportunity to lead and organise initiatives that elevated the voices of LGBTQ+ individuals within the broader context of human rights advocacy. This role allowed me to work closely with diverse groups and address the unique challenges faced by our community, particularly in the areas of visibility and representation.

One of the highlights of my advocacy work was collaborating with GLAAD, a non-profit organisation focused on LGBTQ advocacy and cultural change, where I helped create and promote media campaigns aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of LGBTQ+ issues. Additionally, my involvement in gun violence prevention space was crucial, as I worked to ensure that the specific vulnerabilities of LGBTQ+ individuals were addressed in broader policy discussions. Being an MCin the DC Pride Parade was another unforgettable experience, where I celebrated our community’s resilience and unity, while also drawing attention to the ongoing struggles.

While I was in university, I founded Pride in Running, an organisation dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ youth to run for public office. This initiative was born out of a deep-seated belief that representation matters and that having diverse voices in political spaces is crucial for driving meaningful change. Leading this organisation was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, as it allowed me to mentor and support young LGBTQ+ individuals who aspired to become leaders in their communities.

One of the core activities of Pride in Running was to provide training and resources to young LGBTQ+ candidates. We organised workshops on campaign strategy, public speaking and policy development, ensuring that our candidates were well-prepared to navigate the complexities of political campaigns. 

Through Pride in Running, I witnessed the transformative power of representation and the critical importance of intersectionality in advocacy. Our candidates, hailing from diverse backgrounds, brought attention to a wide array of issues – ranging from racial justice to economic inequality – while championing LGBTQ+ rights. Their campaigns underscored the necessity of addressing these interconnected challenges, reinforcing my commitment to inclusive and multifaceted advocacy.

Although no longer active, Pride in Running was a pivotal experience that deepened my commitment to LGBTQ+ rights and youth empowerment. It demonstrated the profound impact that young leaders can have on their communities and the political landscape. This journey underscored the importance of fostering inclusive and supportive environments where all voices can be heard and valued. As I continue my advocacy work, the lessons learned from Pride in Running remain a guiding force in my efforts to create a more just and equitable world.

What lessons did you take from your experience?

Throughout my journey, I have learned several important lessons. Firstly, the power of intersectionality is undeniable; our fight for LGBTQ+ rights must be inclusive of all identities and struggles, recognising that our community is diverse and multifaceted. Secondly, visibility is crucial. By sharing our stories and experiences, we can challenge stereotypes and promote understanding. Finally, collaboration and solidarity are key. Working with allies and other marginalised groups strengthens our collective efforts and amplifies our impact.

What is it like to be an activist for LGBTQ+ rights today?

Being an LGBTQ+ activist today is both invigorating and daunting. While we have made significant progress in terms of legal rights and social acceptance, there are still substantial hurdles to overcome. The current socio-political climate often poses threats to our hard-won rights, and the rise of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment in some areas can be disheartening. Despite these challenges, there is a strong sense of community and resilience among activists. We are constantly inspired by each other’s courage and determination to create a more just and inclusive world.

In your opinion, what are the difficulties faced by young activists in this field?

Young activists face several difficulties, including a lack of resources and support. Many of us operate within volunteer-led organisations with limited funding, which can make it challenging to sustain long-term initiatives. Additionally, there is often a generational gap in understanding and approach, which can create tensions within advocacy spaces. Young activists also face significant personal risks, including harassment and violence, especially in areas where anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment is prevalent. Despite these obstacles, our passion and commitment drive us to continue pushing for change.

What is your message for the other young WILPFers?

“To my fellow young WILPFers, I urge you to remain steadfast in your commitment to justice and equality. Embrace the power of intersectionality and strive to understand and support the diverse experiences within our communities. Remember that your voice matters and that every action, no matter how small, contributes to the larger movement for human rights. Build alliances, seek out mentors, and never underestimate the impact of solidarity. Together, we can create a world where everyone, regardless of their identity, can live with dignity and respect. Stay resilient, stay hopeful, and continue to be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Riley Reed
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Riley Reed

Riley Reed is a dedicated activist based in Washington, DC. From championing gun violence prevention to advocating for LGBTQ+ youth equality, Riley’s journey underscores the vital importance of visibility, intersectionality and solidarity in the ongoing fight for justice and equality.

Matt Mahmoudi

Matt Mahmoudi (he/him) is a lecturer, researcher, and organizer. He’s been leading the “Ban the Scan” campaign, Amnesty International’s research and advocacy efforts on banning facial recognition technologies and exposing their uses against racialized communities, from New York City to the occupied Palestinian territories.

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Hanne Peterson

Europe Alternate Regional Representative

More about Hanne Peterson coming soon.

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Diana María Salcedo López

VICE-PRESIDENT

Diana María Salcedo López holds a degree in Political Science from the National University of Colombia, a Master’s degree in Women’s, Gender and Citizenship Studies from the University of Barcelona, and a Master’s degree in Human Rights, the Rule of Law and Democratisation from the University of Alcalá de Henares in Madrid. A feminist and anti-militarist, she has a solid track record spanning two decades working as a consultant for non-governmental organisations, international cooperation agencies, the United Nations and state bodies in Colombia. 

Her work has focused on safeguarding women’s rights, incorporating a gender and intersectional perspective into public policy, strengthening the social fabric amongst women who are victims of the armed conflict, and consolidating local peace-building processes. 

She currently serves as director of the Colombian section of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (LIMPAL Colombia), where she leads initiatives on issues such as feminist approaches to the energy transition, the protection of women human rights defenders, the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and advocacy in international forums. She also represents the organisation on the Special Women’s Body for Monitoring the Peace Agreement and on the Intersectoral Commission on Security Guarantees for Women Human Rights Defenders and Women Leaders in Colombia. 

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Desirée Sterner

VICE-PRESIDENT

Desirée Sterner currently serves as President of the Swedish Section (IKFF), a role she has held since 2023. Her engagement with WILPF began at the grassroots level through the local branch in Lund/Malmö during her university years. Desirée brings a deep substantive understanding of WILPF’s core issues, rooted in academic training in gender, peace and security (LSE), war studies (Swedish Defence University), peace and conflict studies, and human rights (Lund University), combined with several years of practical advocacy, movement-building and organisational leadership work in Swedish civil society.  

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Sylvie Jacqueline Ndongmo

PRESIDENT

Sylvie Ndongmo, is a Cameroonian peacebuilder, feminist leader, civil society actor and Women, Peace and Security expert with over 30 years of experience in peacebuilding, mediation, and gender equality advocacy. She serves as International President of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) and is the founder of WILPF Cameroon and Executive Secretary of Women Peace Initiatives. She coordinates the Women and Youth Early Warning Monitoring Room in Cameroon and was recently appointed to the African Union Advisory Panel on Democratic Elections and Governance in Africa. Her work focuses on advancing women’s leadership, conflict prevention, and sustainable peace through feminist, inclusive, and intergenerational approaches.  

WILPF Afghanistan

In response to the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban and its targeted attacks on civil society members, WILPF Afghanistan issued several statements calling on the international community to stand in solidarity with Afghan people and ensure that their rights be upheld, including access to aid. The Section also published 100 Untold Stories of War and Peace, a compilation of true stories that highlight the effects of war and militarisation on the region. 

IPB Congress Barcelona

WILPF Germany (+Young WILPF network), WILPF Spain and MENA Regional Representative

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Demilitarisation

WILPF uses feminist analysis to argue that militarisation is a counter-productive and ill-conceived response to establishing security in the world. The more society becomes militarised, the more violence and injustice are likely to grow locally and worldwide.

Sixteen states are believed to have supplied weapons to Afghanistan from 2001 to 2020 with the US supplying 74 % of weapons, followed by Russia. Much of this equipment was left behind by the US military and is being used to inflate Taliban’s arsenal. WILPF is calling for better oversight on arms movement, for compensating affected Afghan people and for an end to all militarised systems.

Militarised masculinity

Mobilising men and boys around feminist peace has been one way of deconstructing and redefining masculinities. WILPF shares a feminist analysis on the links between militarism, masculinities, peace and security. We explore opportunities for strengthening activists’ action to build equal partnerships among women and men for gender equality.

WILPF has been working on challenging the prevailing notion of masculinity based on men’s physical and social superiority to, and dominance of, women in Afghanistan. It recognizes that these notions are not representative of all Afghan men, contrary to the publicly prevailing notion.

Feminist peace​

In WILPF’s view, any process towards establishing peace that has not been partly designed by women remains deficient. Beyond bringing perspectives that encapsulate the views of half of the society and unlike the men only designed processes, women’s true and meaningful participation allows the situation to improve.

In Afghanistan, WILPF has been demanding that women occupy the front seats at the negotiating tables. The experience of the past 20 has shown that women’s presence produces more sustainable solutions when they are empowered and enabled to play a role.