What exactly is "Gay Pride"? Is it two words that are just tossed around, or just an excuse to wear rainbow attire? What does Gay Pride even mean?
To me, Gay Pride is both a feeling and an action. Gay Pride is the feeling of having pride for yourself, and others, and expressing the things that make us different. It's about accepting people in, and out, of the LGBTQ+ community. I, as a gay individual, have gone through my fair share of discrimination for liking those of my gender, but I never tried to hide myself. When I finally learned that there were other people like me, I realized what Gay Pride meant.
I had a new understanding for the word pride and it changed my life. Being surrounded by people who love and support me makes it better for me to accept myself. Having pride in myself and pride in my community has helped me through years of not accepting myself and wandering lost in this world.
Yes, there are still some people in the LGBTQ+ community who still criticize me for being the version of gay I am, you know who you are, but I still have pride in myself despite what you all say about me. One day you will accept the way I am and the veil in front of your heart will fall.