PRIDE <noun> a high opinion of ones self; dignity and self-respect; satisfaction in something well done.
Once again I find myself a little ambivalent in writing about my "pride" in terms of my "gay pride." I dont feel proud that I am gay. Maybe its because I don't feel like I had a choice or that it was something I did to be proud of. What I am proud of is the person I have made myself to be. Now, while I don't feel "proud to be gay," I'm also not ashamed to be gay either. Being gay is just a part of who I am. For example, I wouldn't say I'm proud to have brown hair, or that I'm proud to be 5'7," or that I'm proud that I have two beautiful green eyes. Anyway, you get my point. If we truly believe that being gay is something genetic and not something we worked towards, then how can it be something to be proud of? Am I proud that I have a lover of the same sex? Am I proud that I like to wear clothes of the opposite sex? I don't think pride has anything to do with it.
Now, after saying this I must state that I do understand the need to be heard. Especially as I get older and realize that myself, and the person I choose to love (and there have been many!) are not afforded the same rights as heterosexual couples. Maybe if society didn't put people in two different categories, gay or straight, then we wouldn't feel the need to be so proud of whom we sleep with. Because as far as I'm concerned, that is the only difference between me and my straight counterpart, Brad Pitt.
Let's face it: we all know how fabulous we really are. The best dance clubs, gay! The best fashion designers, gay! The best movie stars, gay! The best parties, gay! The most beautiful people, gay! I hate when I hear all the protests the gay community has when some anti-gay group suggests, "all gay people should live on their own island!" I say LET'S GO! When and where?!? Imagine how fun that island would be! No more women with blue eye shadow, men who wear black socks with sandals, or clueless relatives constantly asking, "when are you going to meet the right girl?" To which I usually flippantly reply, "I am the right girl!" Now that island would be a true paradise. But alas, I don't think that dream is ever going to come true, Dorothy. Instead we will be forced to mingle among the unbent trying to convince them we are not going anywhere and that we are not out to eat their first born male (well, maybe if he's cute).
So I guess I am not so much proud to be gay, as I am proud to be me. And yes, being me is being gay, with brown hair, 5'7 and stunning green eyes. And whether you wear your pride on your sleeve and strut it down some main street USA or quietly let your voice be heard, be proud of who you are and remember, they may win some of the fights, but they will never win the battle.
Till next time, Happy Gay Pride!