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From the media that run numerous stories of our lives to companies that sell rainbow gear, they see nothing but sales. It’s interesting that in the month of June, everyone now sees us.
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An after-thought, if they are thought of at all. And for those with physical limitations, just simply forget about it as most events happen at places/venues that are not suitable for that community. Looking at many Pride marches, often the seniors, who should be first in the parade, are sometimes regulated to the back where they have to stand for hours just to begin marching. This is also reflected in the scheduling of activities in which many are not conducive for seniors to be part of. I’ve yet to see one advertisement in which someone over the age of 50 was looking back at me. Like other aspects of the LGBTQ community, gay elders are invisible as you find little to no inclusions for them either to be involved or invited. Pride is not senior- or special-needs friendly. We have to stop allowing our Prides to be monetized and instead bring the community the Pride is meant for, back to the front. Instead of coming together as a strong unit, we’ve fallen into different camps. At the same time, it also divides the community. In NYC, this has been a contentious issue that from it has created an off-shoot Pride in which corporations are not invited. In essence, corporations have bought out Pride and placed themselves in the front, literally. Pride and its marches have turned into a very long corporate commercial. There is still so much in the LGBTQ community that needs to be addressed, from trans rights to AIDS funding to global cases of countries not only denying the rights of gays but also killing their LGBT members. And also, to be frank, those whose interests were met with the passing of gay marriage found no need to stay in the fight to help others. Sadly, it seemed that once gay marriage was approved, the gay community lost its steam or way. Like the riots of Stonewall, Pride was our time for the world to not only pay attention but also to make some changes. The original prides had context as it brought together people to rally for our cause. To justify my feelings, these are the five reasons I don’t celebrate Pride. As I look at what’s going on today I have good reasoning. I don’t say I hate Pride but I did start to fall out of love with it. Yet as I got older, the feelings I had about Pride started to shift again. I was now in a space to say out loud that I was a gay black man and didn’t care how anyone else felt about it. As I got older and embraced who I am, my feelings of Pride started to shift as I was now able to align the pride I have for myself with the June happenings. I would view from afar those who were comfortable to express themselves in public and live in their truth, as I hid in my tiny closet. While growing up, I never embraced Pride because of my own insecurities of accepting my sexuality. As the nation show off its pride colors, I sit alone as I have a secret: I don’t like Pride month.īefore I’m asked to turn in my gay card, let me explain. Also this year, the world celebrates the 50 th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riot that is credited with helping launch the modern gay rights movement. It’s a time for the LGBTQ community to enjoy their turn in the national spotlight.