GAY PRIDE

Today is June 1. It’s the official start of Gay Pride.

Over the next four weeks, we’re told to 1.) be proud of our sexual orientation and gender identity, 2.) that diversity is a gift and 3.) that sexual orientation and gender identity are inherent and cannot be intentionally altered. If you’d like a “gayducation”, click here.

As we celebrate the progress and history of LGBTQ rights and equality, it’s important to recognize the overlaps and intersections of oppressed people everywhere. While this month focuses its attention on the gays, I suggest focusing attention on the countless other groups that face discrimination and marginalization.

Embracing the diversity of this planet is important for all people. Logically, I’d assume that marginalized people would be especially accepting and understanding of other marginalized folks. As it turns out, it doesn’t necessarily work that way.

I’m always surprised when I encounter an openly racist gay person (though, to lesser degrees, I’m certain that everyone is racist). Or a gay person that embraces genderism. Or a lesbian that is antisemitic.

At the end of the day, it’s not helpful to point fingers at others. I can only control myself (and even then, it’s often touch and go). So, this month, and every month, I’ll challenge myself to embrace the myriad of people that inhabit this planet. Inspired by Pride, I’ll cherish the colorful mosaic that is the human race. I’ll remind myself that our vast differences add value to our collective human experience.

And moreover, I’ll recognize that those vast differences pale in comparison to our similarities and the one light from which all of us emanate.