Pride 2022

pride 2022

today i went to pride, and i want to remind as many people as i can, that while pride started as a riot, we never faded out of that. pride is, always has been, and will continue to be, a protest. today i saw signs protesting roe v wade’s overturning. people screaming that QUEER IS NOT A DIRTY WORD. groups marching in the streets to protest gun violence and the cruelty of cops. this is important. our voices are powerful.

but even quieter, i saw mothers who wore signs and shirts offering free hugs. i accepted a few, and they would whisper to me how loved and valid i was. there were two girls wearing lesbian flags as capes kissing while crying. people of all genders topless, wearing skimpy clothing, wearing modest clothing, wearing makeup and skirts and shorts. i met a father whose husband gave me a flag to wave when mine broke. i had dogs run up to me with dye in their fur and lick my hand and my friend’s hand. there were genderfluid people, nonbinary people, agender people, trans people, all existing freely without the societal constraints of gender. i saw dozens of flags, and every single one was so fucking valid. you are all so fucking valid.  remember, pride is a protest, in so many different ways.