Happy Pride Month!
Honestly, “Pride” is kind of a funny word for it all for me. I get that standing up with pride was such an act of defiance in the decades past, and you need that kind of strength that comes from self-respect to live honestly. It counters shame.
I think it was just the beginning, though.
Standing up for each other over a long time is all about honest examination, real appraisal, communication, appreciation of differences, arguments put forth for change. Who are we these days? How are we being to each other?
This drawing is called “Do Your Best” and the reference photo I used (and the drawing barely resembles it) is from a pornographic photo shoot of gay bikers back in the 1970s. Rough, sexy, affectionate, free, defiant... proud.
Back then we were outcasts who had to defend ourselves as much as define ourselves. We were seeking affection and love and sex in ways that were so unregulated by society because we were cast out from it. We couldn’t trust society then, because it was really out to get us.
What we did with all that energy was create alternative ways to be and think. We created a lot of art that pushed boundaries. We created a lot of fight to push back against the society that tried to smother and imprison us.
Are we now part of that society? Are we merging into it? According to vacation and insurance commercials we are, but is that truth? Are we still reviled in general and is that commercial acceptance bogus? Are we trying our best to assimilate? Are we mixed up and divided? And are we really a bunch of heroes? Or is there a lot of corruption in our group?
I know fervent gay Trump supporters. I’ve met guys who try to give other guys drugs and diseases. I know racism, greed, hedonism, selfishness, immaturity and all the regular shames and shams of all people run right through us. We are not a group of saints. And we are not most of us now so many pioneers, are we?
Let’s take time to examine who we really are these days. Let’s look around and see how our actions affect us and the world around us. What are we doing that we can take pride in. And let’s put the focus on that.