Year-Round Pride

Surreal. I had worried there might be protestors, potential violence. There were none. Only good people, pouring into this new place, a resource for the LGBTQIA+ community. The owner, a drag performer, greeted guests at the door. Absolute joy filled the space. You couldn’t help but feel uplifted with pride. The world has truly changed. Not enough, but by an amazing leap in my small town.

Pivot.

Nine years ago, my friends were making a movie about LGBT acceptance. I donated to their venture, because it’s something I deeply believe in, and I knew they would do it justice. Nine years ago, I wrote my “why” for supporting it:

"My donation to this project is dedicated to my LGBT hero, Lee Morris. Lee was my best friend in high school, in the 70's, struggling with his identity when being gay meant taunts of 'queer' and 'faggot.' He played the organ for a Baptist church that likely would have fired him had they known. He also sang Barbra Streisand songs for me, danced to Donna Summer, took me to drag shows, and wrote incredible letters when we went to different colleges - he, to a strong Baptist university, where he found a surprisingly large gay community. He lost many friends in the early days of AIDS, when I was working at a hospital and watching the research and impact unfold from a different perspective. Lee was brave and took joy in the moment. I can't tag him, because he died 12 years ago, not from AIDS as so many assume. As he said, "Gay men die from all the same things other people do." Today, I know and love a number of LGBT individuals. I know and trust the filmmakers, and I hope those reading this post will think of the struggles of their own LGBT friends and help make this film a reality for today's youth."

Back to the present, nine years to the day later…..

First, that film, “At the End of the Day,” is a beautiful story and still available on Amazon. Second, that story could have happened here. Third, the filmmakers, who have played a role in changing the conversation, also attended this community event. Fourth, I will always have a soft spot for the gay community.

The event was the grand opening of this resource space. It will offer health and counseling services, support groups, and a performance venue. I was a volunteer, presenting information on voting to attendees who were eager to fill out our top 5 issues survey and our commitment to vote raffle. Our table was one of many, including a couple on mental health and suicide prevention, but also for LGBTQIA+-friendly financial planning services, books, and a bakery. There was just so much support in the room. I had great conversations, met some terrific new people, and saw friends and acquaintances from various parts of my life.

Mostly, it was just a happy event. Great performances and people free to be who they are, knowing they were safe in this space. Drag queens and trans-individuals and allies and all the other labels mixed freely. We were all just people there. June may be Pride Month, but pride and support are year-round. Lee would have thrived in such a place.