This was originally supposed to be a light, upbeat, hopefully inspiring article based on my experiences this past weekend at Boston Pride. In lieu of the mass shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, it has turned into something more.
On Saturday, June 11, I went to my first Pride. I marched with MIT during the parade and went to the celebration, at Government Center, afterward. I left my dorm early in the morning and didn’t get back until late at night, and throughout the day I was cold and exhausted, but I can honestly say it was worth it. I learned so much, both about myself and about the community around me, and felt the most like myself I had in days. Pride ranks as one of the best parts of my college experience. I fell asleep Saturday night feeling content and happy.
I woke up Sunday morning to news of the most horrific mass shooting in the U.S. to date.
The news about Orlando made me feel disappointed and heartbroken. My heart reaches out to the friends and family of those deceased, those in critical condition, those recovering. My heart also reaches out to the LGBT community at large. This was a slap in the face in what is supposed to be a month of victory and celebration. A year ago, when we celebrated the legalization of gay marriage, I thought our country was taking steps forward toward progress. And now, this. I have never understood the hatred directed towards a community that shows so much love and acceptance.
Orlando is a tragedy, but as in most tragedies, there are heroes. The media has published article after article about the tragedy, about the shooter, about the politics. As important as these articles are, they detract from the heart of the story. Not only is this an LGBT issue, but it is also a human issue. So today, I want to celebrate the victims and the heroes. I want to highlight the heroes: the members and supporters of the LGBT community who have reached out to help; who have used the moment to spread love over social media and during the Tony Awards; who continue to stay strong against all odds. I want to celebrate the victims: the people who died while proving to the world that they are not afraid to be themselves and have a good time.
This one’s for you: why Pride should be every day, as told from the eyes of a first timer.
1. Everyone is supportive and open-minded.
People come into Pride expecting to see new things and to venture out of their comfort zone. As a result, Pride was one of the most open and accepting celebrations I have been a part of. Time and time again, the LGBT community has dealt with doors slamming in its face, and time and time again, it has responded with open arms. It was the kind of atmosphere I wished we could emulate every day. The message was clear: spread love and acceptance, not hatred and blame.
2. Everyone isn’t afraid to express the truest versions of themselves.
There is no dress code at Pride, and for good reason. In a culture of acceptance, it is easy to be yourself. You can be the weirdest, boldest, most-you you and be celebrated, not judged, for it. Everyone’s spirits were looser; everyone’s personalities more open. I danced without abandon at the celebration and had so much fun. I felt more confident in my own skin, and that’s an amazing feeling.
3. Nothing can rain on a Pride parade.
The weather that Saturday was not so favorable. But rain or shine, Pride couldn’t be stopped. Everyone was still enthusiastic even when it started to downpour. Marchers kept up their good vibes; spectators cheered us on and high-fived us as we marched. And that enthusiasm was contagious. My socks might have been soaked, but my spirits couldn’t be weighed down. I learned that a bad situation can be turned into something tolerable with the right kind of spirit. Nothing should stop you from having a good time.
4. Anything can happen.
My friend lost his phone at Pride: that is a Millennial’s worst nightmare. In a crowd of so many people, it could have been anywhere. Miraculously, we were able to track it down and recover it at a police station nearby. It had fallen out of his pocket, and a good Samaritan had found it and handed it to a police officer. We managed to find a lost phone in a crowd of thousands, a feat others might have told us wasn’t possible. We have to thank the can-do attitude Pride fosters: anything is possible; you just have to go and try.
5. Things might not be easy, but everything was worth it.
Pride wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. The weather wasn’t ideal, I was hungry and cold and tired, and I walked so much that my feet hurt. There was even a protester or two. Yet seeing the community, the support, the joy that people were determined to spread made me realize that it was all worth it. Pride was to me the ultimate celebration of all that is beautiful in the human race, and I would do it all again in a heartbeat.
