Opinion: What I Think
After 12 years in the more liberal bubble of Seattle and Portland, sometimes I forget that I’m not a “normal” member of society. However, coming out in small-town Michigan 15 years ago was a life-altering risk to give the world at large an opportunity to reject me. At no other point in my life did I have to be so brave as to pronounce myself as myself.
I went to my first Pride in Denver in June 2009. I had never seen such a display of acceptance and appreciation. Strangers embraced strangers. Together we created a safe space where we could be able, encouraged, and celebrated for being ourselves in whatever color of the rainbow we identified. It was an over-pouring of joy for my parched soul.
Fast forward to today, and we’ve made huge strides as a society, but marriage equality is still recent in our history—just seven years ago. Happening immediately are 238 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in the first 90 days of 2022. More than ever, I feel my legitimacy as a queer man is up for debate.
So why am I excited for Pride this June? I’m stoked to see my community again and feel the warmth of people’s love. I need Pride as a chance to feel celebrated and to celebrate others. With each Pride, I’m more hopeful that queer people don’t have to risk themselves to be themselves.
Mark your calendars for Portland Pride the weekend of June 18-19.
June is an unofficial time around the globe to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.