Facebook
On Sunday, I marched with Join the Impact in the 41st Annual Chicago Pride Parade. It was my third Pride and my second time marching. Join the Impact is an activist group fighting for full equality for the LGBTQ community. While, as usual, many of the floats in the Parade had people (some barely dressed) dancing to fun music, we took to the streets with chants and signs. My sign said “Pride in Action.”
My favorite moment of the whole parade was when, about half way through, I was holding my sign in front of my chest (my arms were tired), and a man on the sidewalk pointed to it and said, “Yes! Yes!” I raised the sign up above my head. He was exactly right- he understood what we were doing.
The Pride Parade was a fun, wonderful, necessary party, and a lot of straight people attend and have a great time along with their LGBTQ peers…but then the party’s over. Everyone had a great time together, and that’s important, but covering yourself with glitter and dancing around in your underware isn’t going to give you full, federal equality. I’m not saying the Parade should change. I’m saying that it’s not enough.
That’s why I love being part of Join the Impact Chicago- because we put our Pride in Action.
If you believe that LGBTQ people deserve full, federal equality, act on that belief. If you have friends and/or family members who are LGBTQ, show them how much you care.
Unfortunately, I know that most people don’t care enough to attend rallies, carry signs, and call Congresspeople. It’s the unfortunate truth. So, until more people care enough about equality to actually act, those of us who do care must scream louder and march farther. Being an activist takes a lot of energy, but I absolutely guarantee that every second is worth it.
We still have a long way to go, but I saw a lot of pride and a lot of passion and excitement at the Parade- and if all of that could be put into action…well, then we’ll really have something to celebrate.
~ Samantha
No Comments.
[Add New Comment]