Pride, prejudice, & straight people

Dear straight people, you’re not the only ones who question the relevance and rationale of Pride.

When I was a young(er) man still working on my undergrad, I didn’t see much point to it either.

In the early 00s, my perception of Pride was that it seemed to represent primarily the most outlying aspects of the LGBTQA* lifestyle. Specifically, I’m talking about the dancing leather daddies, gogo dancers, and drag queens.

Despite the message of inclusivity, I didn’t personally feel represented by the faces of the LGBTQA* community that Pride organizers chose to display to the heteronormative world during festivities.

The truth is, I didn’t like those faces. I believed they reinforced stereotypes about gay people, and would leave potential clients or business associates assuming during celebrations I was bumping and grinding in a Pikachu onesie with glow sticks and bare feet.

Which is why, dear straight people, we still need Pride.

No one should feel ashamed about dancing in a Pikachu onesie if it brings them joy in their hearts.

Because the ‘radical’ aspects of Pride, like nudity or unconventional attire, challenge the limited & harming notions of heteronormativity.

All bodies are beautiful, and nudity is not inherently sexual in nature.

Because, as Macklemore says, gay is (still) synonymous with the lesser.

Today, I see Pride as a beautiful cross-section of all walks of gay life. I understand the necessity of elements that might make some people, gay or straight, a little squirmy in their seats.

And I celebrate it.

Love is Love.

Clinton