Sean's Too Much Information feature is something I always enjoy answer. I am looking forward to attending Pride 2014 enormously, both in my home town where I am on the organizing committee and at World Pride 2014 later in June in Toronto. Woo-hoo!
Please also check out Kelly Stern's Pride Challenge and show your support by posting his Pride flag picture on your blog.
HAPPY PRIDE 2014!
1. Tell me about your first Pride. I posted about my first Pride in 2011 here, here and here. At that time, I was a gay virgin and was in the middle of my never-ending, harrowing coming-out / separation / divorce journey.
I was in severe pain and had difficulty walking due to a spinal arthritis problem resulting from four severely degraded vertebrae.
2. What did that first Pride mean to you? Despite my pain, I was determined to attend. I was finally "out" at an enormous cost and the simple act of walking around our Pride picnic represented the next step in my gay journey. I was determined that nothing would stop me.
4. Do you fly the Pride Flag and/or stick it to anything? I wear Pride merchandise (wrist bands, T-shirts, buttons and the like) while attending Pride festivities but not at any other time. But I'm thinking that I should wear my Pride T-shirts all the time, gay militant that I'm becoming.
But at my new school, I plan to wear my Pride T-shirt occasionally and will post an "Inclusive Schools" rainbow Pride sign on my new classroom door.5. Do you still celebrate Pride? What does it mean to you now? I've only been out for four years, so I still eagerly anticipate every Pride event. But now, I approach Pride as an LGBTQ advocate and a teacher.
I think that the visibility that Pride brings to the LGBTQ community is more important to than ever before. By being an out teacher and an active Pride participant / volunteer and organizer, I know that I serve as a important role model, especially to the students at my school, gay or straight.
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6. Does Pride need improving? If so, what changes would you make? I'm a Pride newbie so it would be presumptuous of me to try to "fix" it. But in our town, about 80% of our Pride organizers are women. The gay guys don't get involved at all.
In fact, the vast majority of the gay guys who are my age I hook up with NEVER even attend our local Pride celebrations. It's time to get out of the closet, guys! That's one change that I would make: to get the gay men more involved.
7. How do you give back? I've invested much time and effort by being on our town's Pride organizing committee and I intend to continue and expand upon this role.
BONUS
What kind of trouble or embarrassing moment have you had during Pride? My only regret is that I've done nothing to regret during Pride. I'm sorry to say. I have no embarrassing stories to tell at all! I must rectify that situation when I attend World Pride 2014 in Toronto later this month.
It's really amazing to see how far you've progressed in such a short time. After reading your answers I'm thinking it's time you make a "it Get's Better!" video. That would help you with your 'fix' in #6.
ReplyDeleteYes, thanks, Sean. When I read back on my 3.5 years of blogging, I am also amazed as to how far I've come!
DeleteI'd have to think about the "It Gets Better!" thing... good idea, though!
Your answers almost mirror mine. But the bottom two photos are my most reviled reasons why Pride needs to be reformed. Do we REALLY want the general public thinking gay guys are only underwear and leather people?
ReplyDeleteCool post. Thanks, like you, I love learning more about my blog friends!
Peace <3
Jay
You know, if straight people had a Pride Parade the 'non normal looking' ones would be the ones to get photographed too. All people who march in parades are more likely to have style, flair and a desire to show off or be heard.
DeleteI don't disagree, Sean, but the "non-normal looking ones" would be on stilts, or clown costumes, or riding in funny little cars, they wouldn't be in their underwear! It's called UNDERwear for a reason! And I'm no prude - I love nudist gatherings, hot guys in tightie-whities, but all in their place, which in my opinion is not in a parade where we are allegedly showing PRIDE in being LGBT but can't dress for the occasion, thus the haters, etc. are given fuel to hate us. I mean, there were kids at our Pride festival, do you think the parents would bring them back if hot guys were parading around in their underwear? Do you think they'd take them back to a straight parade if people were parading in their underwear?
DeletePeace <3
Jay
This is a hotly-debated topic, both in LGBTQ circles and straight ones. I'm okay with whatever gay people choose to do while celebrating Pride. Jay, I do understand your point!
DeleteBut I would be disappointed, if at World Pride in three weeks, if I DON'T see some semi-naked, hot guys parading around in skimpy undies, Speedos or less. lol
I have nothing against parading in underwear or leather gear. Guys who are into that more power to them. I am out and proud, just not into parades - gay ones or any other kind. So the fact I don't go to a pride parade doesn't mean I am in the closet. I participate in things I am interested in - like the LGBT film festival in the big city I used to live in. Never missed a year.
ReplyDeleteYou're correct. I've actually never been to a Pride Parade but I enjoy our town's little LGBTQ film festival.
Deleteoh! I love the pool floater ensemble !
ReplyDeleteYes, they're flashy!
DeleteThey are actually those really skinny balloons which are used to make balloon animals at children's parties, etc. Foam pool floaters would be too heavy.
I really liked and understood your comment about "finally out". After agonizing about it for years and all that meant, it feels good to be myself. And the fun you can have with it. For example at work I was confused about something, then said I figured it out. One of the girls went "so are you straight now?" My response? Oh heck no! Laughs all around. It really isn't a big deal anymore for most people.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is great to be able to talk about my social life and the men I'm dating without having to be "on guard" the whole time.
DeleteIn Canada, I haven't encountered a single person who has voiced any concern or disapproval about me being gay.