It's Pride Month! Celebrate!
Dateline: 06/06/97
Are you going to your local Pride event? You should you know. There's no reason not to.
There are very few locations in the United States (and Internationally) where you can't find an event close enough for travel. Make a day trip out of it, or an overnight excursion. Go by yourself, with a friend, or with that significant other in your life. Invite your family, and your friends.
You probably think I'm nuts by now, "What's so special about Pride and Pride month?"
Well, I'm glad you asked.
Out of the Closet and Into the Streets!
The odds are that Pride Festivals and Parade will
immerse you into the largest group of gays and lesbians and all
our other offshoot and side shoot groups of which you've ever been a part.
Gay and Lesbian people of all ages, colors, political
affiliations, shapes and sizes. There is a power in numbers, and
the power at Pride events is a soul-filling one. The positive
energy is unsurpassed.
Don't Worry about Being Outed
Closeted? Well here's a hint for you - anybody who sees
you at a Pride Festival is also there. Assuming
that you may have some trouble if the people at your <fill in
the blank from amongst: work, school, church, etc.> find out
that you attended a Pride event, what are the odds that the
person you have seen is going to be the one to tell them?
Take your Children
I've been going to the Los Angeles Pride Parade &
Festival annually since 1979. Frankly, I had grown tired of doing
and seeing the same old/same old each and every year. A couple of
years ago T (my other half - and that's what I call her, I'm not
hiding her identity) and I took our son with us. He rejuvenated
my interest with his own enjoyment. Now, each year starting about
February he asks, "When is the Parade?" and always
wants to know whether he can bring a friend. Contrary to the
claims of the Religious Right, our Pride Festivals and Parades
are not endless streams of drunken debauchery. There's joy and
celebration and a good way to subtly let your child or
children know that they are not the only one with gay/lesbian
parents and that you and yours are not the only queers in town.
Find Out What's Happening in Your Community
One of the nicest things about the Pride Festivals is
that all the local groups are there with literature you can take
home and read on your own time. You can subscribe to mailing
lists to keep updated on issues and events in your community.
Most likely you will discover that you are not the only one in
your town who likes underwater basket weaving and you'll find a
group that you can join with people who share that (or any other)
interest with you.
Discover Opportunities
Imagine my delight and surprise when I saw that the LAPD
had a hiring booth at our festival some many years ago. The last
word I had heard was that one couldn't be a police officer. Yet
there they were. Actively recruiting from amongst us. Banks will
be there with special "Domestic Partner" accounts. No
more worrying about whether the "New Accounts" rep will
look at you funny when you go to open your joint account.
Insurance brokers will be there doing the same thing.
Buy with Pride!
There's nothing like a Pride event to bring out the
local gay and lesbian vendors. You can buy a bumper sticker for
your car, or even buy a car. And in all cases you'll know that
you're supporting the gay and lesbian community by doing so. Even
if the company is not gay owned or operated, they've most likely
had to pay a fee to show their wares at the event - and many
festivals require a portion of the proceeds to be donated to gay
and lesbian organizations in your community.
In Pride,
Deborah
Adult Personals - looking for the perfect adult dating site? sexsearch.com is the perfect stop for online adult personals. search thousands of cities for adults looking to meet you.
