Happy Pride (and men’s mental health awareness) month everyone! This is one of my favorite times of the year simply because I feel like many people come together in the face of adversity and it’s a beautiful thing. Like the LGBTQ+ community gets some kind of superpower. Which let’s be honest, it’s just the fact that there’s more of a community during this month. And community is powerful.
Pride is so important. You’ll hear people say “what about my parade” or other things along the lines of “I don’t understand why you have to shove it down our throats” and more crazy takes like that. Let me explain a few things.
First of all, the people who claim they don’t have a straight parade are the same ones who’d never even get off their ass to make a parade. That would involve actually having actions to back up their statements, which they don’t have. They also don’t have community, cause they’re miserable. Also, you do not need a parade. No one is telling you who you love and who you are is illegal. Go be a pick me somewhere ELSE cause this isn’t your target audience.
I don’t believe pride is being shoved down anyone’s throats. Why is it a negative thing to even have pride? How did people turn this into a political statement? Do you not have pride in general? Are you just…miserable? Rhetorical question. I already know that answer.
I think a community coming together for the month of June is so beautiful. It’s actually one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen, really. People telling each other that they’re worth it and they’re perfect the way they are and it’s okay to be yourself. How is that so wrong? How does that bother you so much? Freedom of expression is liberating. Once you remove those shackles you might have that society put on you, you’ll find that the sun shines brighter.
Even though I’m passing, people still use my old name. Even my parents still. The best part of pride is knowing who I am regardless if people want to still disrespect me. People make my transition a personal thing for themselves, rather than getting out of the cage they put themselves in and seeing me for who I truly am. The same people claiming “why do we need a pride month” do not have empathy. They don’t want to understand the why.
Pride is important because there are people who are closeted and may never come out. Pride is important because there are people still living in the wrong body and can’t come out in fear they will be berated to detransition. Pride is important because there are people who are disowned by their family for just being THEMSELVES. Pride is important because some people think they are better off dead than living their true, authentic selves.
Pride brings community, and that’s how we survive. We find family in those around us who lift us up and respect us rather than tearing us down or berating us for being ourselves. Community keeps us alive. Community keeps us strong.
So yes, I love pride month. I love the parades and rainbows and educational information that recirculates this time around. I love being me and speaking up for my community. The community that has kept me alive. Maybe people should ask more questions and want to be educated so that they can experience this too.
Because don’t get me wrong: ally’s can enjoy pride month, too. We are celebrating LOVE this month. You don’t have to be part of the community to celebrate that. Love is love. That’s all we’re saying. More love, less hate. Having pride in who you are is NOT a political statement. We’re not going door to door to ask you to be gay. We’re just celebrating who we are.
People who have an issue with that are in a cage they put themselves in. Stop projecting and learn to see the world around you. Expose yourself to all the love and good in the world.
Sorry that this is a longer post than usual, but I’m very passionate about this topic. After being out for a year and a half people still use my old name. I have facial hair and a deep voice and people are still using my old name. At the end of the day it’s because people think of my transition is a personal thing and don’t try. It really comes down to not trying.
Be who you are even if people push back. You are who you are no matter how much you suppress it. You will come out on top always. You are not alone, even if you think you are. There is community everywhere, you just have to find it. Love yourself. Stay on this earth. And if anyone needs/wants to talk to me, my DMs are always open on Instagram @wes.sacerdote
Love is love. Happy Pride💙
