Pride Celebrating our Rainbow
Pride is a time to celebrate ourselves as LGBTIQ people. It is a time to remember the battles won in the late 60’s and those won this past week as new states came on board the marriage equality train. From the concentration camps, to Stonewall, to Harvey Milk, to Matthew Shepard. From Maine to Oregon. From Michael Sam to the WNBA. It is our Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years, Kwanza, Birthday and Mardi Gras all wrapped up into one glorious week. For some, it is the one day a year that they really let their true selves out!
The original Pride flag had eight colors, including hot pink, which symbolized sexuality. I find it odd we lost that color over the years – or turquoise for that matter. The other seven colors symbolized the following:
Red: life
Orange: healing
Yellow: sunlight
Green: nature
Turquoise: magic/art
Indigo/blue: serenity/harmony
Violet: spirit
There are so many colors of our rainbow – beyond ROY G. BIV. All you have to do is watch a Pride parade to see the various groups going by: Latino Lesbians, Caribbean dancers, Leather Men, Gay Men’s Chorus, Presbyterians, UCC, LGBT youth, Proud Parents, Drag Queens, Drag Kings, Two-Spirited people, Anti-Frackers, Politicians, Nude and Proud, PFLAG, Buddhist LGBT, etc. Over the years it has melded into a huge corporate sponsored gala. Leave it to us to take something somewhat tragic and turn it into a red carpet event, lol !
I have to say, as the president of our local PFLAG organization, there is no better feeling in the world than coming through the gauntlet of parade goers and to hear them cheer as PFLAG goes by. The only thing better was chaperoning our first LGBT prom last year. To see our youth full of wonder and joy as they walked in to a safe place to embrace themselves and truly celebrate was incredible. If you don’t have one in your city – make it happen!
We all watch the parade from the sidelines and look for ourselves to be represented. I remember the first time I saw my Buddhist group, Soka Gakkai International (SGI), marching in the Toronto Pride parade. Then I saw the Two-Spirited LGBT group. I will admit, I choked up a little. It gives you a sense of belonging, of home. You are no longer on the island of misfit toys – you are part of this glorious display of love and joy.
So, this year, as you watch the Pride parade go by, as you squeeze yourselves into the beer tent, fight to the front so you can see Hunter Valentine or any of the L Word girls, as you put on your best glam …take a minute and just look around you. Look at all we have to celebrate. Most of all – celebrate yourself. If you can, find a leader in your community and thank them …for clearing the path a little so we can enjoy this day of Pride.
Stay young and beautiful! Happy Pride!