A Reflection on Pride Month: What it Means to Me
By Kennedy Hardison, Legal Assistant
Why do we celebrate Pride Month? For Reczek Chase Law, Pride is much more than a parade, partying, or fun: it is our duty. We recognize the importance of history, representation, and community for our LGBTQ+ community. During June, we look forward to celebrating the beautiful diversity and spirit of the LGBTQ+ community, louder and prouder than ever.
For me, Pride Month is about taking power back from all the times that I have felt afraid to be myself in public. Pride Month is celebrating all of our victories, no matter how big or small, and facing adversity while coming out stronger, together.
While coming together as a community is always a special experience, the unity is amplified during Pride Month. Being among people with a shared lived experience, listening to music created by and for the LGBTQ+ community, and celebrating our existence in a crowd of people with unwavering courage and conviction a beautiful thing. However, despite the beauty of the rainbow unity just described, it is important to remember that this celebration did not start in a joyous manner -- it is accompanied by a long history that must be acknowledged, and even current struggles that cannot be ignored.
There is burden in knowing that the fight for equality is never-ending; there is gratitude in remembrance of those who have fought for us to get to where we are now. Without the courage and strength of the LGBTQ+ community who have come before us, and the help of strong allies, we would not be able to speak so freely or love so openly. We owe great thanks to those who have contributed to the fight for equality, especially black trans women, like Marsha P. Johnson:a prominent advocate for gay rights, specifically during the Stonewall riots during 1969. Marsh was often quoted saying, “no pride for some of us, without liberation for all of us.” Pride doesn’t feel like pride without acknowledging how hard people have been fighting us to live freely.
Celebrating Pride Month, in your loudest and proudest way, doesn’t have to be decorated in rainbows or purchasing a pride themed item from a store with questionable intent. Celebrating Pride Month can look like learning about LGBTQ+ history, supporting queer artists and media, joining in local festivities and pride parades. Celebrating Pride Month can look like holding hands with the person you love. Celebrating Pride Month can look like letting your LGBTQ+ friends or family know just how much you support them.
I celebrate Pride Month by looking at how far I have come in my own journey. I was once a scared, young girl, afraid to admit my sexuality. I used to feel a pounding in my chest when discussing school crushes with other girls, because I knew mine was on a girl, and not a boy, like the rest of my classmates. I was scared to come out to my family, terrified that my sexuality would be considered “disgusting,” and wondered if my girlfriend would be allowed to family holidays. Now, I often think that they favor my girlfriend over me. At one time in my life, I was not invited into the home of some family members, because they were not ready to accept my queerness. While it isn't always perfect, there has been a lot of change in my life that has allowed me to be open about my sexuality, and live in a space where it feels effortless to love without reservation. What was once confined to secret messages, and stealing quick kisses, is fearlessly expressed. This progress is possible because of my own strength and courage to be myself. During Pride Month, I like to look back at the girl I was, and let her know that she will have the courage to face her fears no matter how impossible it may feel.
Despite the significant progress I have made, like many members of the LGBTQ+ community, I am often still scared, escaping to vague platitudes when talking about my sexual identity. When I catch myself doing this, I remind myself that others are not always awarded the privilege I now enjoy. As a feminine presenting woman, I am not always identified as anything other than a cis gender straight woman. There are many groups within the LGBTQ+ community that are visibly queer, and who are forced to be prepared for the worst at all times. I steel myself to be open about my sexuality, even when I am afraid to be, because I want to be the change that I need to see. I want to stand up for my community, and protect those less privileged than I am.
This Pride Month, I hope that my own visibility can to be the type of representation that would have inspired me step away from fear and toward self-acceptance when I was younger. I’m grateful for artists like Renee Rapp, Chappell Roan, and Hayley Kiyoko, who serve as role models for safe, healthy queer love. I think that if, in my youth, I had heard songs about girls who feel how I do, or movies depicting the type of love I have now, I wouldn’t have been so scared. I am grateful for increased LGBTQ+ representation and visibility in recent years, and I hope that it continues to grow. I hope, too, a younger girl can spot me in a crowded room holding hands with my girlfriend, see herself in me, and know that it will be okay.
June holds a special place in the heart of the LGBTQ+ community. The fight continues every single day, and our community has it in us to prevail. Our firm, in living the example of our LGBTQ+ predecessors, aims to celebrate the strength of marginalized communities, and stand for equality every day. While we are extra proud about who we are during Pride Month, we wave our flags every day of the year here, too. Happy Pride Month from your friends at Reczek Chase Law!
