LGBTQ+ Spotlight

MONTROSE STAR.COM

e BY FORESTRIGGS

June is here and busting out all over with pride — Gay Pride, that is! Once again, in every hamlet, village, city and empire “where two or more are gathered…” there will be rainbow ags, parades, drag shows, club parties, reworks, speeches and even a few demonstrations. After all, the “gays are ruining America,” or so certain groups and organizations want folks to believe. e LGBT “movement” has indeed come a long way, especially in the past few years, but it is by no means out of the woods (or, the closet, perhaps). ere is still a great amount of work to be done, on all levels. Education, dispelling myths, shining the light of truth on hypocrites and leaders that shout one thing but in private say and do another — these are areas where the community must continue to work and make di erences.

Galvestonians and the LGBTQ community are pretty fortunate. e Island has long been known as a “bastion of liberals” where one can pretty much be whatever they choose to be. It is not so much that people don’t care, they just accept people as valued individuals rather than dwell on di erences and things that divide and separate. Sure, there are economic and political di erences, even choices of faith and how to worship, but in the end, Ol’ Galvetraz is a pretty “free” place to live and be part of a thriving community. e history of June and Pride is well documented and really needs no re-telling. Rebellion at the Stonewall Inn in New York was the impetus for what was to become Gay Pride — not to mention that Judy Garland had just died! Over the years, the celebrations have evolved into huge a airs and gatherings drawing thousands around the world. June has pretty much become synonymous gays and Pride celebrations.

I have attended celebrations in huge cities such as New York, San Francisco and Houston, as well as some commendable e orts in smaller cities and communities in the Bible Belt. e enthusiasm and pride is there in both communities; however, when the smaller gatherings are being picketed, subjected to taunts and ridicule by an ignorant and misinformed group of haters (who, of course, claim to be on the side of God and family), it weakens the real joy and celebration. Having seen this several times while visiting friends in some “deep” southern states, I was appalled by the behaviors and activities of those opposing gay anything. e LGBTQ and pro-gay participants went about their business, celebrating with music, educational booths and guest

speakers, while the opponents — some less than 10 years old! — ran up and down shouting through veinswollen foreheads about God, Hell and queers, spouting their cafeteria-style theology at anyone listening.

I share this because if you are celebrating LGBTQ Pride in Houston, Dallas, San Francisco or any other large city, just pause for a moment and think about some of our brothers and sisters in smaller communities trying to send a message of hope and love, only to be shot down by bigots and idiots. It is out there, still. I have witnessed it.

As LGBTQ people, we should not for one minute take for granted what has come before us — the rallies, the marches, the pins, buttons and banners and all those beaten or persecuted just for being themselves. Every Pride gathering, from two or more to a 100 thousand, is a start and sends a message of strength and hope. Eventually, as more and more John and Mary Does see that we are not monsters set on overthrowing the government (they are doing a good job of that themselves!) and that we, like them, just want a normal life, protected by laws and not hiding in fear, that we are wonderful and productive citizens.

Science is on the side of the gays and more and more people are being educated about choice versus being born gay. It takes time. When you look at how far we have come in just the past 20 years, it’s amazing! Our country now allows us to marry. ere are laws that protect against discrimination in housing, employment, healthcare and many areas. ese are things I could not have imagined back in the 1970s when my journey began. We are moving forward, but it takes time.

For this reason, every Pride gathering is important and critical, no matter what the numbers re ect. Education begins with the individual, then spreads like ripples through a community. It’s hard to change ignorance, almost impossible, but we must make the e ort and make it every chance we get. While waiting on line in a local bank, I overheard two older gentlemen talking about their rental properties and tenants. Both men looked familiar and I am aware they own several properties around the Island. e rst man said, “Oh brother, have I had it with the queers!” e other man, looking rather puzzled, replied, “What do you mean ‘had it?’” e rst man said, “ ey all lie. ey lie about their income to get a lease, they lie about smoking, ght and tear up the place and when I nally get them out, I have all the repairs and costs. No more queers for me!”

As he was saying this, I thought of a few folks I have known and how they might t that description. en, to my surprise, the second man, said, “Bill, they are gays now, not queers anymore. ey have been my very best tenants, xing things on their own, paying on time, respectful. I’d have all gays if I could.”

As the line moved forward, I thought about the conversation between the two men and their perception of “gays” based on their individual experiences. One felt queers to be destructive and the other felt gays are the best thing since sliced bread.

What is Pride? Pride is being one of the sliced-bread gays, making your community proud, striving for excellence in everything you do. Just like straight people, we are watched and judged based on how we come across, the impressions and images we make and leave behind. is is where Pride is more than a rainbow ag or a parade — it is about setting an example and hopefully changing an attitude or misconception, one person at a time.

Happy Pride 2021. e

THE GAY-ETY STARTS HERE! Wednesday June 2, 2021 e VOL. XI, 26

Photo via QZ.com

A resident of Galveston where he can be found wasting bait and searching for the meaning of life, Forest Riggs recently completed a collection of short stories about his beloved island and is working on a novel.