I went to pride recently and there were a lot of protesters. And it was scary. It hurt. It made me want to cry.
But you know what else there was?
There was a man dressed in all rainbow with a giant megaphone who drowned out the protesters by saying “YOU ARE WELCOME HERE.”
There were rows and rows of people from churches and temples who were there to tell us that God loves us for WHO WE ARE.
There was a woman who, when I asked for a mom hug, held me for a straight minute and didn’t let go until I did.
There was a woman giving away stim toys who comforted me when I apologized for getting excited, and promised that it was okay to be happy.
There were parents with their kids, with their gay kids and queer kids and trans kids, who weren’t there because it’s an obligation, but because it’s their child who they’re supporting.
There were people at every vendor to tell me I was loved, that I was accepted.
There was a little kid handing out cookies for a church, that had GOD’S KINGDOM IS FOR THE OUTCASTS written in frosting.
There was a person who told me excitedly all about their small business with crocheting, and how much it’s connected them to the community even as an autistic person who has trouble in large groups such as pride events, and how the welcomingness of LGBTQ people has made them feel welcome — and how they hoped I felt welcome, too.
There was a trans woman behind a church booth who talked to me for a long time about what it means to be accepted and not ostracized by real, true disciples, who was sitting beside an elderly man who took my hand and told me I was loved.
There was a woman serving pastries at a French cafe that me and my friend stopped in, who told me “my son is gay, and so I know your struggles you have. Have pride, you are beautiful,” in the most earnest voice I’ve ever heard.
There were so many people who told me they liked my shirt, which said ‘the world is a better place with you in it’, and when I told them it was true, they said it was true for me, too.
There were flags being flown with pride, there was joy, there was community and in that community there was love.
There were thousands of people, far outnumbering the few protesters, who loved me for who I am: queer and trans. Because there is nothing wrong with being who you are.
Love will ALWAYS drown out hate, and pride is a place of love. Even through the hate. And the world IS a better place with you, and me, in it.
izzy806
kaledo-art
blakekathryn
gummygunk
andulkaphoto
turnnoffyourmind
