Considering Pride
Today is Pride day in the city that I live and the 3rd year I would have attended it. This year I attend with my wife and some of her family. We'll walk the parade and maybe go to the pub after, then in the evening Wife and I will go to a Drag Show. I'll be very tired tomorrow. But that's not what this post is about.
If you asked Naomi at age 16 if she needed Pride, she would have likely said: "No, I am proud to be who I am but it is not my entire identity." But would go along to Pride events regardless.
Little did she know that only two years later she would be lying on the floor of a hotel bedroom, pissed as a fart, shouting how much she loves being a Lesbian.
And she's not wrong, I do definitely love being a lover of Ladies (all manner of female-presenting folks, but that's a different kettle of fish). But I believe I need Pride now more than I ever have.
There was a period of time in my life where I felt quite comfortable and safe being a gay woman. From the ages of 18-26, Pride was a celebration of me back then. It was very much a cliche "I'm here, I'm queer, now get me a beer" kind of vibe. I was young and naive (which has already been established) and didn't really care to look into the history of Pride and it's intentions.
I need pride now because I don't feel safe being a gay woman. Not a month ago there was a news story about a queer couple on a bus in London that had been beaten up and mugged by a group of drunk men for refusing to "give them a show". With the current sociopolitical climate in the UK, it feels like a certain demographic of people feel like they have been issued a free pass to verbally and physically air their hatred towards minority groups. It's because of this that I don't like public displays of affection with MY WIFE, for fear of that kind of backlash, just for being me and loving my wife. That being said, the city I live in is generally progressive and have yet to have a reason for this level of paranoia.
But that's ME feeling unsafe, in the grand scheme of things I am quite high up on the scale of 'minority privilege'. If I feel unsafe, then I worry about my POC and Trans siblings the most. I read stories of them being silenced, hurt and killed. Even by other LGBTQ+ folks. How can we make a real difference and really step towards equality for all when there is still awful discourse in our own community?
A black trans woman, Marsha P. Johnson, threw the first brick at Stonewall in 1969 and began something revolutionary. We have to work together, stop gatekeeping identity and hating each other. We owe that to Marsha and the other folks at the Stonewall Riots, as LGBTQ+ people.
Pride is a safe space, it is a protest and It is a stage to be heard from.
So, 30-year-old Naomi, do you need Pride?
Yes, but there are others who need it more and I will march with them until we are all equal.
If you asked Naomi at age 16 if she needed Pride, she would have likely said: "No, I am proud to be who I am but it is not my entire identity." But would go along to Pride events regardless.
Little did she know that only two years later she would be lying on the floor of a hotel bedroom, pissed as a fart, shouting how much she loves being a Lesbian.
 |
| A thing that actually happened |
There was a period of time in my life where I felt quite comfortable and safe being a gay woman. From the ages of 18-26, Pride was a celebration of me back then. It was very much a cliche "I'm here, I'm queer, now get me a beer" kind of vibe. I was young and naive (which has already been established) and didn't really care to look into the history of Pride and it's intentions.
I need pride now because I don't feel safe being a gay woman. Not a month ago there was a news story about a queer couple on a bus in London that had been beaten up and mugged by a group of drunk men for refusing to "give them a show". With the current sociopolitical climate in the UK, it feels like a certain demographic of people feel like they have been issued a free pass to verbally and physically air their hatred towards minority groups. It's because of this that I don't like public displays of affection with MY WIFE, for fear of that kind of backlash, just for being me and loving my wife. That being said, the city I live in is generally progressive and have yet to have a reason for this level of paranoia.
But that's ME feeling unsafe, in the grand scheme of things I am quite high up on the scale of 'minority privilege'. If I feel unsafe, then I worry about my POC and Trans siblings the most. I read stories of them being silenced, hurt and killed. Even by other LGBTQ+ folks. How can we make a real difference and really step towards equality for all when there is still awful discourse in our own community?
A black trans woman, Marsha P. Johnson, threw the first brick at Stonewall in 1969 and began something revolutionary. We have to work together, stop gatekeeping identity and hating each other. We owe that to Marsha and the other folks at the Stonewall Riots, as LGBTQ+ people.
Pride is a safe space, it is a protest and It is a stage to be heard from.
So, 30-year-old Naomi, do you need Pride?
Yes, but there are others who need it more and I will march with them until we are all equal.
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