Every year, during the month of our GLBTQ+ Pride, the age-old debate/discussion persists: do we need to continue to observe pride? For appearances sake, some want to honestly engage in an examination of the necessity of retaining the preservation of our pride designation. Others see us as having outlived the need for that distinction. Aaron, my spouse and I both cast our votes in the yes! determination on this question!
The primary reason for our affirmation of keeping pride alive is that the need to celebrate us being ourselves is just as important and imperative today as it was in 1970 during the first anniversary of the Stonewall Inn riots (SIR). Case in point: the trumpster-dumpsters are continuing their assault on our community and culture and ourselves on a variety issues, notably the transgender concerns, identities and recognition. They are so biased and foolish that they fail to comprehend that their obsession with transgender is exactly what is underscoring the vitality of this situation!
The not-so-subtle attacks on the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark rendering in favour of marriage equality is now underway, again under the endorsement and patronage of the trumpster-dumpster imbeciles. As the GLBTQ+ communities and culture, we need to remain vigilant in preparing for defending our equality and our inalienable rights. We cannot allow the resurrection of a Jim Crow Part 2 in which all advancements are frozen in a “separate but unequal” status!
Into this foray is one basic reality for the continuance of our pride commemorations. Many of our community and culture exist in an isolated environment regardless of social media and online accessibility. If even one of those persons benefits from a pride encounter and/or experience, then an enthusiastic and overwhelming yes in answer to the question of the need of pride in our community, our pride in our culture and our pride in ourselves for being what and who we are!
If our retention of pride helps to prevent just one suicide from depression over feelings of being alone and/or totally misunderstood, then definitely keep pride alive! If our retention of pride helps two persons reunite and renew their friendship, mutual support and relationship – bromantic or platonic – then keep pride alive!
The above are not the sole justifications for pride preservation in our GLBTQ+ communities and culture. Out festivities offer us all the convenience and opportunity to network together. To reignite our acquaintances with others and to remind ourselves of services and situations that can reward and strengthen our cultural exchanges and enhance our lives.
Our involvement and participation in pride functions affords us prospects of development and growth in both our personal and professional lives. We stay aware, informed and introduced to exciting and refreshing concepts, ideas and plans that enliven and enrich our own lives and what we share with others.
In remaining active in pride events, we expand our familiarity of issues, persons and topics that embrace, enhance and impact us personally but also us being members of a variety of communities, cultures and groups. Our knowledge of people and resources is invaluable in sharing!
Additionally, there are the usual arguments for keeping pride alive. Foremost among those is the opportunity to enable us all to remain current on issues that we share as a community and as a culture. This allows us to explore the options available to us and to discuss the solutions with those whom we otherwise may not have the chance to consult.
Another advantage the interaction within our community and culture with cohorts we normally have no contact. We can renew acquaintances and/or encounter new persons. This permits us to expand and explore as well as socialize others outside our usual crowd and to stay abreast of new and exciting interests and issues.
Hopefully and ideally, it makes no difference how we define, identify or label ourselves – bisexual, gay, lesbian, normal, queer+, “real,” transgender – there exists within all of us an element of belief, confidence, pride and stamina in being the individual person that we indeed are. That we appreciate and understand that throughout this global “home” we all share that there maybe (possibly) lives another similar being who perhaps benefits from the nature (sense) of community and culture inspired through a celebration of our being what and who we really are – us!
This chance (enablement, opportunity) is sometimes worth all the effort (involvement) necessary to afford and offer this person the reason to continue living another day! Keep Pride Alive!
“Our pride in being bare practitioners (same gender loving nudists) extends beyond the month of June of every year. It’s an ongoing process that reaffirms our self-worth all year.”
“This development of our sense of confidence in ourselves doesn’t bestow on any of us the right of arrogance and/or the right of judgment. We, of all people, know better than to make that assumption. Most of us have been the target of prejudicial behaviour (or worse) in our own lives and know first-hand how that makes people feel. Patience and tolerance of others, regardless of the beliefs or values they hold, should be our guide. Our pride in ourselves includes pride in our actions towards others.”
“Being confident and proud of ourselves involves respecting the rights of others in allowing them to be proud of themselves, too. Our freedom should not entail denying the same to anyone else.”
~ Roger Poladopoulos ~ ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 1 June 2017
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, June 8, 2026, and the proposed topic is: “Bare-Volution: Bare Celebrity Series #9!”
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 