In Support of Gay & Lesbian Pride Month

Written by Tara Tainton

Friday, 17 June 2005 23:00

June is Gay and Lesbian Pride Month. It's a concept that undoubtedly represents an oxymoron for some due to the societal barriers to expressing pride openly or the phobic individuals themselves that really fear any individual expressing pride for anything at all. Yet, pride is a concept we should all buy into more, practice more, and openly acknowledge in those souls who courageously dare to be different from the majority.

The truly caring and respectful of us can acknowledge the need for any individual to take real pride in who they are, their individual beliefs, and their needs and wishes for personal happiness, growth, and satisfaction. Regardless of whether you associating with the label of "gay," "hetero," "lesbian," "bi," or otherwise, you can take individual steps to increase awareness of all individual preferences and necessary freedoms and actively support our rights to them.

MizScarlet suggests the following activities to participate in and support Gay and Lesbian Pride Month via Interactive Scarlet online:

Write a letter to congress about sexual hate crimes. In many states (possibly your own) many hate crimes that are seen or tried as something distinct to sexual orientation are NOT illegal and punishable on their own.
Help a homophobic. Really. Get them out in the world, show them a few biological and scientific facts, and help them heal from their weird conditioning. Homophobics need nurturing, too.
Help a kid who is coming out. if you don't know one, you can find more than a few at Gaydar at Scarleteen.
Brush up on some facts and research.
Contribute to realistic STD and HIV education. Some people really do still think they are "gay" diseases.

The National Women's History Project details the "History of Gay and Lesbian Pride Month" for us, which began with a turbulent weekend in New York City in June of 1969.

Dan Woog writes "Celebrate Gay Pride Month at Work" for Monster.com with additional suggestions for showing your support and carrying that self-confidence into the workplace.

Don't forget to support and encourage the rights and freedoms of those whose very existence and daily courage help to confirm your own freedoms.

gay pride parade lesbian

And consider joining Unacceptable, a clique and hatelisting advocating against homophobia. If you're a webmaster, you can display your own support for the group and equal rights for all. I'm a member; you should be too.

What's Tara getting into today? Check in on your WebTemptress: Tara's Trysts, the most honest blog on the planet.

free speech rally