As we close out another Pride Month, I reflect on what Pride means to me, why I think it's important for all of us, and why I don't think the end of "Pride Month" should change anything.
Seattle's Capitol Hill is likely the most visibly queer area in the state, and among the queerest areas in the US. For those of us — I imagine it's most of us — who have felt stifled, or at the very least othered, by not seeing beings who are (more) like us around, not seeing our ideals of inclusivity, acceptance, and celebration of identity reflected in where we spend our time (even with unfortunate limits), not feeling like there's much chance those around us could ever really understand our experiences, an environment like that can feel like it changes everything.
Obviously, acceptance has a long way to go. Even in areas which are very accepting relative to the rest of the country, and the rest of the world. And obviously, even in a "queer safe space" environment, there are many of us who still feel shut out, still feel like more relatively normative queer beings do in conservative areas. But the fact that some places and times can be so much closer than others is a heady promise of how the average and the norm don't have to be where things stay.
And never is that closer to its peak than during Pride Month, in which the queer areas are even more queer and even the less queer ones start feeling more hospitable for a while. It's deeply meaningful, to not feel alone, to not feel like everything is meant for someone other than you. So, things like this can be great. But at the same time, it then feels saddening to see it end. Why, we might wonder, can't it be this nice all the time?
Why, indeed? I think that's an excellent question, and one we should all be asking ourselves: why can't it? It's not like Capitol Hill was always like this, like it sprung from the Earth covered in posters and graffiti promoting queer leftist ideals. It was once not like that, then it changed, because of the choices of the beings who reside there.
I issue this call to everyone in a position where they can do so safely: if you love Pride Month (or at least what it should be), if you love seeing representation, if you love the ideals we stand for, show it — not just in a single designated month, but all year long. Make it part of your wardrobe, your decorations, your body if you choose to express yourself that way, your neighborhood to the fullest extent you can with legal safety. Be the change you wish to see in the world. If not you, who? If not now, when? As overused as these expressions are, admittedly, they're still 100% true, in a timeless way that never loses its meaning.
There can be more Capitol Hills. There can be more Seattles. All that's necessary is for enough of us to want it badly enough that we decide to make our dream a reality, to go from dreaming to doing. And not just that — we can do better. We can have our inclusivity and our acceptance not have the kind of limits that make some of us feel stifled even at Pride. We have it within our power to band together and create the kind of environment we can thrive in, and be proud to call our homes.
So, what are we waiting for? Let's get started already!
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