Pride is an interesting word, especially after 2020. In a year where there has been a lot of conversation around who’s allowed to have pride, understanding what pride means will help us understand why some pride is celebrated and some pride is questioned.
Oxford Languages defines pride as:
Noun: a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired
- Noun: consciousness of one's own dignity
- Verb: be especially proud of (a particular quality or skill)
We celebrate Pride for marginalized groups because often they have overcome A LOT to get to a space of achievement, satisfaction and dignity. America has a long and tumultuous history that didn’t always serve all people. I am proud to be an American but I also believe we can do better and that we still have a lot of work to do. I look forward to us getting to a place where we can all have pride, in who we are and in what we have done. To get there, we have to get loud about who we are and honest about what we’ve done. It is revolutionary to live loudly when your identity is marginalized or denied, when people in the past have died for doing the same.
Marsha P. Johnson said, “History isn't something you look back at and say it was inevitable, it happens because people make decisions that are sometimes very impulsive and of the moment, but those moments are cumulative realities.” The current state of America did not just happen, we are here because of decisions that people made leading up today. Multiple decisions big and small that affected us all. She also said “You never completely have your rights, one person, until you all have your rights.” None of us are truly free until we are all free.
A Few Important & Fun dates:
National Say Something Nice Day - June 1
Queer Sex Panel: Transcending Shame To Discover Freedom, Love and Self-Acceptance - June 3 on Youtube
National Best Friends Day - June 8
It's Not Just a (Lunar) Phase, How Astrology Can Lead to Big Love in Austin - June 9
New Moon - June 10
National Rosé Day - June 12 (Second Saturday in June)
International Bath Day - June 14
Juneteenth - June 19
Father’s Day - June 20 (Third Sunday in June) & Summer Begins – Longest Day of the Year
Full Moon - June 24
