Happy Pride Month, everyone!
Yes, Pride still matters. A great deal. As long as homophobia exists, in the form of LGBTQ people being attacked, beaten, fired, discriminated against, thrown out of their families, executed in oppressive countries – I would continue this depressing list, but I think you get the idea – then we need to celebrate Pride. To show the world that we exist, will not go away, and will continue to champion and fight for equality.
I went to my first pride in the early 1990s, I think 1992, in Denver. It liberated me in so many ways to gather with other people who shared my sexuality or supported our community. I have not missed a Pride Celebration since then, because it reminds me of the importance of being out, of working for equality, and making sure that every generation pushes us forward and understands what it took to get as far as we have!
To be sure, forces threaten us worldwide, including an intensification of anti-LGBTQ forces in the United States of late. But our love and community can overpower it when we come together to demand our rights.
Happy Pride! See you on the 24th in Chicago!