Happy June...

We approach the end of June, which in most places marks the end of Pride Month. If you're lucky to live in a city where your Mayor actually declares it so, as I am, you might blink and not realize how important it is. I hear questions every year from gay and straight people alike that question the reason for a lot of the festivities. Why the parade? What is the big deal? No one cares anymore anyway! right?

not really...

Obviously my previous post regarding gays in the military proves that it is still a big deal to people. For example, the recent story of Lisa Pond. I heard this story from a friend of mine, and it just proves how little the media reports. I'm pretty informed, and i missed this one. In a nutshell, Lisa had an aneurysm in Florida while on vacation with her partner, Janice and children. While in the emergency room, Janice was denied the right to see her and the right to make medical determinations for her. She has the legal paperwork that justifies this, but it was not recognized in the Florida hospital. She was not even allowed in the room as the priest read her last rights. Janice currently is stranded in legal limbo, waiting for paperwork from the hospital that will aide in her children's social security benefits. This paperwork has still not been released to her.

This is just another example of the discrimination that occurs everyday. I am lucky to live in a city where, for the most part, the LGBT population is celebrated and included. But others are not as lucky. Is anyone aware of the discrimination and persecution that gay and lesbians are going through in Poland? Did anyone see the violence during a protest in Moscow last month? If you did...then you can not question the need for positive assembly, be it a parade or a protest.

So as June closes, let us not forget the lessons that we learn daily. Love one another, respect differences and promote tolerance. Support organizations such as the HRC and GLAAD, and help promote education and acceptance for the gay and lesbian community. Write to your legislature, governor, and any other politician that can help make a difference. But most of all, be proud of yourself and your accomplishments. Whether your gay, straight, bisexual, transgendered, same gender loving, or any other label you identify with, love yourself and stay true to the way God made you. Authenticity is a person's biggest strength and most powerful weapon.

Happy Pride...