Jun 28, 2009

Let Your Light Shine

Photo: Ingrid Taylar


It's the last Sunday in June, and the streets of NYC are going to be filled with people showing pride in being G, L, B or T. I love my fellow queer folks. Many of us have survived so much ugly in the world, and yet we move forward trying share something special with the world.

I remember going to my first pride parade in NYC when I was sixteen. I was in the closet and had just started hanging out on the piers on Christopher St. just a couple of months before the parade. When I saw this endless stream of marchers being out, loud and proud, I was stunned.

I was going through so much inner turmoil as I had just started the coming out process. To see this exhibit of pride gave me hope. I didn't feel alone and that I was the only of my kind. I was eager and opened to the experience and it gave me an awareness of my humanity and how I mattered in the world.

I spent the entire time watching the parade with tears in my eyes and a knot in my throat. The emotion I was feeling was huge yet intimate at the same time. I felt liberated yet knew I had a responsibility. I had to let my light shine and let love rule.

I pray that those along the parade route get the same message. It starts with love. I learned to love myself, love those around me, and build a life that focused on proving that love is stronger than hate.

Todd does a great blog on quotes and today he posted one from Quentin Crisp in honor of Gay Pride. I was inspired with this idea, and wanted to share a few.

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
Dr. Seuss

In an expanding universe, time is on the side of the outcast. Those who once inhabited the suburbs of human contempt find that without changing their address they eventually live in the metropolis.
Quentin Crisp

It's a helluva start, being able to recognize what makes you happy.
Lucille Ball

4 comments:

Wonder Man said...

I wish I could've been there

Anonymous said...

I'll get you next year! I was a hot mess this year... Let's just say that I may or may not have driven directly into the parade. Hot mess!

Seth said...

I was not thrilled with this year's parade, which was the first time I've seen it in around 10 years. But your memories of your first time remind me so much of my first time (and the first time that many people have) - I cried with emotion just seeing the sheer masses of people and knowing they all had something in common, and something special.

(Belated) Happy Pride

:)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing...
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Julie
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