The Need for Pride in 2021
On this last day of June, the month where we celebrate GBLTQ+ Pride, I hope everyone got a chance to celebrate and learn. We have accomplished a lot in the fight for our rights and we deserve to celebrate. If you’re not part of this group, I hope you enjoyed the celebration too 🌈
But Pride is not just a Party ✊
Gay people continue to face criticism and even danger by being out in the world and many in our community still suffer today 😔
We are the second-most likely to become victims of hate crimes in the city of Seattle. The Seattle Police Department (SPD) reported 84 anti-GBLTQ+ incidents in the first half of 2020 alone, fifteen of which were hate crimes. That is more than two hate crimes a month in a progressive liberal city. If you are Black and Gay, you’re subject to even more hate, with 130 incidents against Black people during the same time. Given these numbers in the city, imagine being Gay in a rural area. I was the victim of a hate crime in rural Washington in 2006 and it was never even prosecuted.
We just got national protection from being fired for being ourselves in 2020. And only thanks to a supreme court ruling the constitution protects us, not by some vast new legislation protecting us.
We face ridicule and receive ugly looks for holding hands in public. I know this firsthand, so much so that it has stopped me from holding hands in some places. We are told we are unnatural, an invasive species or that “you’re cool but please don’t do it around me.” AKA… please go back into the closet. Just read this Instagram post.
Most importantly, everyone needs to understand that many of us have suffered silently throughout our entire lives. You may just see partying and “gay stuff” but many gay people are still hurting on the inside from years of repression. We have certainly come a long way, but our community carries a lot of baggage. Listen to this man celebrate the freedom that some younger gay people now enjoy and his sorrow at having not had that joy growing up.
If you’re straight and the young gay couple at the beginning of the video made you cringe, think about this: Who was your first crush? How old were you when you started thinking about girls or boys? Now try flipping the script now: What if you were told those thoughts were unnatural and if you didn’t stop thinking about the opposite sex, there was something wrong with you. Could you do it?
It’s particularly bad for gay people who grew up in very religious families. I know many gay men that suffered deeply as children who are still impacted today. Imagine being told over and over and over that people like you are bad and are going to Hell. Would you reveal your true colors? Coming out of the closet can be very scary. It can feel like it will end your life, so its no wonder suicide is all too common among the gay community. Even those who come out and have a happy outward appearance still suffer from conflicting thoughts and many struggle to be truly happy. Add fear of hate and ridicule and life can be tough for gay people.
That’s the end of the doom and gloom, but these are just some of the reasons why Pride is so important and so much more than a party.
Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Our community is learning and growing, just as we are asking everyone to learn and grow. We now realize we must work with all under-represented communities in this fight. That includes all the letters in our growing acronym and thanks to last year’s eye-opening protests, the need to fight for people of all races and abilities as well. That’s why you’re seeing the new, more inclusive pride flag shown above everywhere. It’s because everyone deserves the same acceptance and protections Gay and Lesbian people have accomplished over the last decade.
All this new stuff can be overwhelming and seem like a lot to accept, but I have learned that is actually pretty easy:
You don’t have to understand everything about every community.
You just have to accept the fact that everyone just wants to be their best self and try to love everyone.
At the very least, treat everyone with respect.
And Happy Pride! 🌈
💗🙏🌎
