Like a guide to life, the words “live,” “love,” and “be” remind us to be present; live in the moment, love in the moment and be in the moment.

This year’s international Pride theme, “Live, Love, Be,” which San Diego LGBT Pride adopted for its 34th annual celebration, takes on greater meaning in light of the California Supreme Court’s recent ruling allowing same-sex marriage.

As sexy shirtless men, gorgeous drag queens and dykes on bikes roar through the streets of Hillcrest during the 2008 Pride season, there is a lot to celebrate.

In the past couple of months we have met and conquered roadblocks that have opened our hearts and minds to what exactly it is we rejoice in when we celebrate “Pride.”

This Pride season we should not forget the past and those who lived, loved and were the crusaders who fought to allow the GLBT community to enjoy the thriving and bold identity we have come to benefit from.

Still, as poetic as the Pride theme this year sounds, Pride is more than a slogan; it’s a way of life.

It means taking ownership of our lives and standing up against individuals and institutions who still deny us our basic liberties.

As many attend Pride events, we will be inspired by the sense of community and hope that follows the rallies and festivities. We cannot forget this is not simply a vacation or a weekend-long party. Once the rainbow flags are put away and the chanting has subsided, we still face a world in which we are marginalized, stereotyped and vilified by those who would prefer that we did not exist.

While living proudly during this moment in the great state of California there is still a long battle that lies ahead.

As a community we must look ahead to November and our fight against the ballot initiative to take away the rights we have gained.

Although we have a proud history that includes many people who have fought for those rights we enjoy, we still have a long uphill fight to secure employment protection, hate-crime laws and marriage equality. While we celebrate the festivities of Pride events, we still face the reality of being second-class citizens in our own country.

When the parade marches through the streets of Hillcrest this year, we must honor those who made San Diego Pride possible 34 years ago at a time when there was nothing like the affirmation of GLBT identity that we see today.

A strong and proud community has been born from that rally. The weekend festival has evolved into a month full of events.

As today’s generation – many of whom have never known the struggles of those who went before us – take part in the festivities which have grown to be San Diego’s largest community event, a new sense of equality is born.

Having recently gained the freedom to marry, this Pride season, we are reminded to not only live, love and be in the moment, we’re also reminded Pride is not simply a gathering, a celebration or a party; it is so much more.

Pride is walking though life on an uncertain and volatile path, with our heads held high. Pride is not allowing our spirits to be killed by those who vilify us.

Pride is walking though life with an open mind and an open heart. Pride is staring down the daily fear with dignity and self-respect. Pride is claiming our birth-right. Pride is a state of being. For the GLBT community, Pride is everything.

Live, love, be.