As a long time volunteer for PRIDE, I have seen the festival grow and change over the last 10 plus years. Mostly for the good, occasionally not so good, but ever evolving in form but never in spirit. Some within our community now say PRIDE has lost its relativity and need. Nothing can be further from the truth.

PRIDE offers us a few days and a place where we can be ourselves. Where two men or two women can embrace each other without fear of criticism or attack. Where we can openly join each other in brotherhood and sisterhood without reprisal. Where a man can express his feminine side or a woman her masculine. Every year, I marvel at the sight of same gendered couples walking hand in hand. A simple gesture which speaks volumes. To watch two people deeply in love sitting under a tree. To do something in public as simple as a gentle kiss on the cheek or the lips. A small expression of true affection which ordinarily they would feel safe doing only in the privacy of their home. I know this experience first hand; when Ed and I were still together, the first ‘public’ display of affection he ever felt safe to show was at San Diego PRIDE, (Ed, being much smaller in stature than I, was gay-bashed and hospitalized twice, once in New Mexico and once here in California). All these years later, I still remember the surprise and the electricity which passed between us when he took my hand as we walked among the booths, the shear magic I felt when he faced me and kissed me. A simple kiss, a simple, magical kiss free of fear or trepidation. This is PRIDE, and I make no apologies if I seem to romanticize it here.

But – at the risk of offending my fellow Republicans, especially those who will falsely make something evil out of it – PRIDE is more for the young men and women of our community. As much as the above applies to me and my generation, it’s doubly so for the younger. Even with the greater acceptance which can be found today, it is still true they face a heavy burden. They especially need a place of total acceptance and total safety. They especially need to see that it really is alright for a man to hold his boyfriend’s hand, that it‘s entirely natural for a woman to show open affection for her girlfriend. That kissing – and loving – someone is normal, even if they are of the same gender.

I have heard conservative talk radio try to criticize PRIDE as nonsense. After all – they reason – how can one be ‘proud’ of their sexuality anymore than a straight man or woman could be proud of theirs. They miss the point entirely… we celebrate PRIDE as a declaration that we as Gay men, Lesbians, Bisexual & Transgendered/Transsexual people will no longer buy into their stereotype or suffer their discrimination. That we may be no better than they are, but we certainly are no worst. I celebrate PRIDE as my personal declaration that I shall no longer be forced to live in their closet, their prison. That I shall live my life as God decreed and not as they think I should. I celebrate PRIDE as my personal declaration that I shall never again hide nor lie to myself and my family… I celebrate PRIDE as my personal Declaration of Independence…

It’s okay if they don’t understand PRIDE. We do, and that’s enough…

Come tell me your idea of PRIDE. Once again, I’ll be a supervisor at Exhibitor Relations. If not there, I’ll be at my booth I’m sharing with Log Cabin.

Happy PRIDE and Best to all… Ralph

Ralph@VoteRalph.org

www.VoteRalph.org