~ Celebrating Gay Pride 2004 ~
By John R. Ballew, M.S.
Copyright 2005 all rights reserved
|
Celebrating Pride 2004
This has been a banner year – and there’s lots of work still to be done.
There’s a lot to celebrate as communities across America recognize the anniversary of the Stonewall
uprisings 35 years ago. A lot has happened since we hauled out the rainbow banners twelve months
ago. We mark a year of no longer being felons anywhere in the USA when we sleep with someone of
the same gender. We mark a month of legal marriage in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and
celebrate the acts of "marital disobedience" in cities and towns from new Paltz, New York, to Portland,
Oregon and San Francisco.
There are more images of people like us in the media – so many that we take it for granted these days.
And polls show steadily rising acceptance of queer people throughout most segments of society,
especially among younger folks.
In many ways, it has been a great year to be queer. So take time to celebrate.
We could all use a little time to recognize how far we’ve come, because the months ahead aren’t going
to be so easy. 2004 is an election year, and the progress GLBTQ people have made is going to be used
by the radical right to try and scare voters into believing the sky is falling.
Don’t let the ugly rhetoric of politicians or church leaders scare you. They wouldn’t be raising a ruckus if
we weren’t making real progress, and we are. Hateful talk from bishops and candidates can wear you
down. Try not to pay too much attention. And remember that there are things you can do that will make
you feel much better:
Come out. Yeah, you’ve heard it before, but it’s still important. The evidence is clearer than ever that
attitudes change when people know someone who is gay.
Register and vote. "I’m not political" won’t cut it this year; we’re all political one way or another. If you
don’t vote, it’s like letting members of the Christian Coalition vote twice, and that sucks.
Stay informed. Know what the issues are, beginning with those foul anti-gay amendments that threaten
to pollute the state constitutions of Georgia and so many other states. The more you know about the
issues and candidates, the stronger you’ll be when it’s time to….
Speak out. Let family and friends know how you feel about issues. If every gay, lesbian, bi or trans
person spoke out to straight family and friends about how these issues affected their lives, we’d be a
powerful force to be reckoned with. (And consider writing a check to support Georgia Equality, the
Human Rights Campaign and the political campaigns of political leaders who support us, too.)
So take a long weekend to enjoy the hard-won fruits of our labors over the past year. You’ve earned it.
Then roll up your sleeves and realize that we’ve all got work to do.
Happy Gay Pride!
John R. Ballew, M.S., is a licensed professional counselor in private practice in Atlanta. He specializes in issues related to coming out,
sexuality and relationships, spirituality and career. He can be reached via the web at www.bodymindsoul.org or at (404) 874-8536.
© Copyright 2005 John R. Ballew, M.S. All rights reserved.
The BRC extends thanks to John R. Ballew for his gracious consent to display and archive his contributions on this site. Any duplication in
any form