Two years ago, Americans everywhere took to the streets in response to the police killing of George Floyd. Qween Jean (@qween_jean) and Joela-Abiona Rivera (@missabolition) (pictured) were two of them. “Every time I would be out there, I would bring a pride flag with me, and there was always a problem,” says Rivera. “It got to the point that somebody actually ripped it out of my hands.” So she decided to organize a protest for Black queer and trans lives: “It started off small, with no more than 20 people. It grew into something amazing.” The weekly actions, known as @thestonewallprotests, lasted for more than a year, led by Rivera and Jean. Now that they have ended, Jean says, “Forces are actively working to destroy our fight for liberation. That’s showing up right now in the form of these anti-trans bills—legislation that is growing from state to state. If we do not stand up in this moment, it’ll repeat itself.” — 📸: @ryanmcginleystudios Story By: @kaitlyn_greenidge_author