"Every time someone steps up and says who they are, the world becomes a better, more interesting place."
- Captain Holt, Brooklyn Nine-Nine
I just wanted to take a moment and take in pride month. Pride is always an interesting time of the year. On one hand, it is a great, happy time because it is a time dedicated to being who your true authentic self is. On the other hand, it is stressful because this time and feeling are new, at least for me. For so much of my life, I was unable to accept the part of my identity that identified me as gay. Now that I have accepted it, how do you celebrate it? Who do you celebrate it with? At times, it can feel lonely because I am still finding my footing in the LGBTQ+ community. But, these issues are very much surface-level issues at this point.
Pride is a time to celebrate for many reasons. One is because many people have fought for the right to show up as they are. Many people still don't have the privilege to celebrate as they want because they may not feel comfortable celebrating and being who they want to be. They may not be in an environment where it is safe for them to show up as they are. That being said, it becomes each of our responsibility to help create that space and atmosphere to welcome anyone and everyone. Also, if you can't create the physical space there are so many ways to help. People can donate, volunteer their time at LGBTQ+ organizations, or find ways to help others in any way. This is a month to celebrate who we are but, also a time to reflect on how to make space for others year-round.
In addition to celebrating, it is important to acknowledge the history from which we came. Recently, I was able to see a lot of historical LGBTQ+ sites throughout NYC and learn the history. Learning about the past and people like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera remind us of who helped create the current space for many people in the LGBTQ community. My thoughts are sporadic and all over the place this Pride Month because there is so much to think about and reflect on. All I know is that I want to continue to find ways to make people feel welcomed and included. I want to help create a world that not only tolerates people but rather accepts and celebrates them for who they are.
This was a stream of consciousness post this week but, HAPPY PRIDE! I wish you all a great pride season and remember even though pride is just one month, we can still celebrate all year round!
HAPPY PRIDE!!
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