When I think of Pride, it’s obvious that a celebration comes to mind; however, this is not just any ”celebration”. It’s a celebration of who we are when we are being our “real” selves, where EVERYONE is greeted with a smile, despite your social status, background, or lifestyle. You are accepted as YOU and nothing less. This is a time when people from all around and beyond come to celebrate who they are as individuals. A magical transformation takes place when friends and families come together to share love and acceptance with anyone who may come their way. Strangers become friends and friends become family. It’s clear that the word ’stranger’ is nonexistent in this day of celebration.

I’m reminded of a saying that I read on https://gaylife.about.com, “Many gays and lesbians dress in bright colors, head-to-toe leather, or sometimes next to nothing. But regardless of the attire, all of the participants join the festivities to remind the world that gays deserve the same rights as others and should be free to live their own lifestyles, void of judgment and hate”. This statement says it all!

As you know, I’m not originally from this area. So it was a great experience for me to see first-hand how North Carolina feels about homosexuals. Before I moved here 18 months ago, I was somewhat apprehensive about how people would react about my sexuality. My assumptions were that “southern folks” were not as open minded as the rest of the world. However, after attending the Gay Pride festival at Duke University this past weekend, and I realized just how wrong I was. There were people of all colors, sex, and religion. No matter who you are or where you’re from, you are accepted and loved by everyone there.

Why is it that, as a culture, we are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns than holding hands? ~Ernest Gaines


Reflecting on the weekend, however, I find myself wondering how comfortable are we at expressing ourselves to the world when we leave this cocoon of accepting people? I have yet to see a same-sex couple walking down the street holding hands other than at a club, or in a private setting. Our love for each other shouldn’t stop after Pride. This should be a weekend that “fills our burnings lamps” with strength and determination to stand up to any discrimination or injustice we face in the regular world.

As homosexuals, we will certainly face situations where we don’t have the comfort to be our “real” selves, where we must face others without supportive friends close by to help us stand our ground. But we don’t need to act any different just because we are unsure of how society will see our true colors. From my experience, gay people tend to keep to themselves once people get to know us for our kindness and caring then we can begin to let them see our gayness. Then they become curious and want to know more about us and are drawn to us like flies on tape strips. We know first-hand what it’s like to be judged and discriminated against; therefore, we are more accepting of other people’s differences. Each of us has the ability (and social obligation) to educate those around us whom we encounter in our daily lives, just by letting them know who we are. We don’t have to wear a banner that proclaims, “I am gay” to do this. We are not that different from straight people; we all basically want the same things in life….love, acceptance, happiness, families, fulfilling careers, etc.

Often times before people even know we are gay, they are attracted to our acceptance and understanding nature. There will be some in our society who will “dislike” us and back away when they learn of our sexual orientation because we don’t fit into their definition of a “proper” lifestyle, but that is no reason for us to shy away or hide our true identity. We have absolutely no reason to! Just by being ourselves, we educate the world one person at a time, based on our actions and behaviors. Think about it. If each of us can influence one person each day, we have educated 365 people in one year. That’s incredible!!

Have you actually taken a minute to think of how far we have actually come in the last 40 years! The very first Pride parade took place in 1969 in New York City, known as “March on Stonewall”. It started as a protest against discrimination and violence in the Big Apple. Now, we have Pride celebrations throughout the country in miraculous numbers! I agree we are not as far as we would all like to be, but this shows we are gaining ground and we will one day be accepted for the people we are. The message in Pride is steadily growing stronger….Take PRIDE in Who You Are!

Go out into the world today and love the people you meet. Let your presence light new light in the hearts of people. - Mother Teresa

I encourage everyone to attend a Pride event in your area. Encourage your heterosexual friends and family members to become part of our community in celebration. Let them see the gay community with us. This is not just an event to express ourselves as homosexuals, but rather a time where discrimination and judgments are left behind and everyone is welcomed! Keep your Pride lamp burning within yourself and let the world see that the real you doesn’t threaten them in any way. You can make a difference in the world, just by being yourself!

Until next time, get involved and enjoy life!

If homosexuality is a disease, let’s all call in queer to work: “Hello. Can’t work today, still queer.” ~Robin Tyler

For more information on the pride events in North Carolina please visit www.ncpride.