There was a time, still is in some places, when hating homosexuals was acceptable and even desirable. Open hatred was a fine way to distinguish oneself as “not gay.” And there were so many ways in which such hatreds were taught and conveyed. Considered a mental illness or deliberate sinful behaviour clarifies how staying in the closet was never a matter of internalized homophobia, but a harsh and realistic realization of virulent and frequently brutal externalized homophobia.
When we recollect the harsh reality of gay life before the era of Pride the drive to find your community was difficult. Yet, no matter how difficult, people found each other. Underground networks, trusted relationships created small pockets of safety where a gay person, out or not, could be fully themselves. Understanding Pride in this context reveals the importance of Pride. It isn’t hyperbole to say Pride parades gave the community a public voice. They were, still are, an opportunity to present the gay community as not sinners and perverts, but human beings fully alive with the same rights to hopes, and dreams, and aspirations. Pride marches were a line drawn in the sand where homosexuals were brave enough to stand in front of their friends and families, and coworkers, taking to the streets of their own communities to proudly declare “We’re here, we’re queer. Get used to it.”
So, Stonewall, widely regarded as the birth of pride was sparked when a police raid, a common occurrence and frequently a public spectacle, was derailed by a drag queen who refused to be arrested on her birthday. She was supported by a stone butch, who refused to let the police put her in “paddy wagon.” The riot that ensued gathered homeless youth from a nearby park, in holding off the police, and actually trapping the arresting force inside The Stonewall Inn. In the aftermath of the riot came the realization that hiding in the shadows, and submitting to unjust laws and lying propaganda was no longer acceptable. That nothing would change unless we changed it.
Pride in Prince George also emerged in response to a similar event, that provoked a visceral reaction, and a similar mobilization of grassroots community. An immediate “that’s enough of that.” Religious propaganda in the form of a pamphlet entitled “Pedophiles, Homosexuals and Murderers” had been found in plain sight by a tourist to PG. Attempts to get action on this as hate literature went nowhere. This inspired members of the community, gay and straight to strategize how to counter the lies, what we now call misinformation. A successful informational picket of the store where the material was held and solid media coverage brought the issue to public attention. In the evaluation of the event afterwards, the organizers were thrilled with the turnout and the impact. That is, until someone said, “why are we protesting? We should be celebrating.” As a result the first Pride parade in Northern BC was held in Prince George in 1997, organized by a group called CHE: Coalition for Human Equality. Both gays and straights belonged.
Since then we have fought for and won more rights for people outside of heterosexual norms and the gender binary. Now, we have adoption rights, survivorship rights, marriage rights, GSA in schools, and rainbow crosswalks. Some congregations have done the work to become affirming and welcoming, in contrast to hateful exclusion of evangelicals. Our language and understanding has evolved and deepened. We are much more aware of the variety of genders there are, and the evidence of biology behind them. Our alphabet acronym gets longer as more people claim their place in the rainbow. And, contrary to popular opinion which demeans that as flaky or too crunchy granola we put effort into learning this, and being open to correction and clarifications, with pride not shame.
This journey is not easy and we are still not done. We still face challenges and obstacles. There are more countries (64) that will treat you as a criminal and punish you, up to and including execution, than the number of countries that will marry you (32). I think the fact that some people are still fighting for the right to stay alive as just gay means those of us with the privilege of arguing about realities in our world, such as how pride has become too commercial and lost its political edge have a sacred bond to honour, to continue to live as proudly happy and healthy as possible. The best proof is in how we carry our bodies in the world showing there is nothing wrong with being sexual and gender outlaws by demonstrating just how much fun and joy our people have in so much abundance. This is a responsibility. And, there may be dark days coming when we will once again, along with other misfits and margins, be marked open for hunting season again. Live your life out and proud.
