Good news! Global Pride celebrations has took place virtually last June 27, 2020.

“We need community and connection more than ever,” InterPride Co-President J. Andrew Baker said in a statement. “This gives us an opportunity to both connect and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community’s resilience in the face of this pandemic and the true spirit of Pride.”

What is Pride?
Pride is a celebration of LGBTQ identity and the freedom, beauty and wonder that comes from simply loving who you want to love, no matter how you express your gender. LGBTQIA+ Pride is meant to celebrate the dignity and joy in representation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, non-binary, non-conforming and pansexual persons, as well as anyone else who doesn’t necessarily fit into cisgender and heteronormative boxes. The term “pride” is a deliberate one, as it directly counters the feelings of shame and guilt, as well as the stigma that is often slapped onto LGBTQIA+-identifying people.

The fact that the fight for both LGBTQ and racial equality has been going on for centuries and may be going on for centuries more feels overwhelming, especially for those of us in both camps. We won’t be able to fix everything at once. But there are lessons that we have learned from the past, that can help us take on each moment as it comes. 

Tell your story --  Creating more awareness around the injustices of today has become more important than ever. People of color and the LGBTQ community have known and experienced this hurt for a long time.

We’ve seen throughout history how powerful coming out has caused our families, friends and neighbors to act. And as a friend pointed out this weekend, “it changes people to know someone and enough changed people, changes the world.” 

I encourage you to tell your story. Let those around you see how moments like this deeply affect you on an emotional level. The LGBTQ movement was shaped by stories like Frank Kameny  and Jack Nichols who picketed the White House in the nation’s first major gay rights protest in 1965. People like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, who rallied the rioters at Stonewall, helped empower other people to stand up as well. Brenda Howard, known as the ”Mother of Pride”, in her work in coordinating the first Pride March, started a movement that later touches millions of lives. These stories have caused a ripple effect that has led to substantial change.  

Keep in mind “telling your story” doesn’t apply to just those within the community. It will take more than just those of us directly affected by discrimination to correct a problem of this magnitude. That means those who are not directly affected need to stand up for those who are. Telling those around you about your desire to see change and action will have a significant impact on those around you.

I know it’s hard to be positive right now. That’s normal, understandable and okay. The good news is we’ve done hard things before. I believe we can use this moment to keep moving forward.