Happy Pride

Pride

Greetings and Salutations!

I hope everyone had a happy Pride weekend/week/month? LOL. I know how some people like to party and attend the myriad of social activism events, memorials, etc, that happened in the month of June.

The LGBT community has come a long way in acceptance and the availability of basic human rights that everyone else has. The right to marry, have children, adopt, be defined as a family, be considered as religious, and partake fully in society are signs that we’ve made it. However…

As with any group of people, there are diversities and differences that can’t be papered over. Additionally, different groups of people within the community know that the benefits reaped by others are not granted to them. People of colour, people with disabilities, and transgendered people are just three groups that have legitimate arguments about what “Pride” has given them in the sense of progress and being fully equal. Racism, sexism, and transphobic behaviour still exists, and not just from those who “straight”, but within the members of the community who should know better.

The above reasons are why we still need Pride! It’s by no means a battle that has been won for everyone–not by a long shot. Furthermore, while we in Canada can be considered lucky, there are many countries where the rights gained by the LGBTQ community are under attack, and are in serious danger of being rolled back by politicians and the courts.

Notwithstanding all of that, it’s still nice to have a place for people who aren’t out, to congregate and be with people like themselves, even if it is in a parade, or at the numerous events that happen in Pride month (June). It’s a chance for them to be themselves, fully and openly, without fear or self-hatred. It’s a chance to experience the positivity and joy that can be had when one is surrounded by people who accept you for being you.

What did I do for Pride? I went to a massive parade and took a hella amount of photos. Granted, that doesn’t seem like something to write home about. But bear with me…as I mentioned before, I do have mobility issues and was concerned that it would be extremely difficult to attend. However, I managed, and took some great photos, and had fun with the crowd. For one day, it was like I was back in the land of the living and not having to “manage my disease”.

That was Pride…and on Monday..I went to a Diana Ross concert!!!! Squeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! Yes, I’m totally fangirling here!! I’ve always loved Motown, and I’ve always loved Diana Ross and The Supremes. And then just Ms. Ross when she left the group. It was a bucket list event, and I got seats right up at the front. I had such an enjoyable time. She sang the classics, engaged with the audience and was as warm and kind as she possibly could have been. All in all, it was a magical night, and a perfect cap to Pride activities.

I did both on my own…which was ok. I found that I was missing SK only because I had gotten used to doing things with people. All in all though, a great time was had!

That’s all for now!!!!