I've never really given much thought to love in terms of its meaning or how it should be done or by whom or to whom; love happens. Love happens however it happens. Sometimes it happens during our early years on the playground, before we even hear the word or consider its meaning. And sometimes it doesn't happen until well into our 20s or 40s when we're tired and almost forget it's a possible feeling. Sometimes it develops with our best friends, and sometimes it develops with a complete stranger. Some of us recognize it the moment it happens and some of us are oblivious to it altogether. Some of us fall in love and we describe it as the best thing to ever happen to us... some of us describe it as the worst. Some people like men, some people women, and there are some of us who can't help but love both. There are no boundaries when it comes to love, it happens however it wants to happen and we can't control it – Love is Love, it is not a decision.
I've never experienced Pride before: not in New York City, not in Chicago, not anywhere that I've ever been. I've always taken the role of an admirer from afar, never participating in the festivities but supporting it completely. But considering the current state of my country and all the political controversy surrounding the president ("the" because I'm not proud to call him mine), this year I felt the desire to show my support. I celebrated Pride in another country, one unlike my own but still so passionate and accepting of the LGBT community; the experience has been eye-opening in so many ways.
The moment I stepped out of the train station and onto the street I could see an abundance of rainbow flags and apparel moving through the streets. The feeling was empowering – to see a sea of colors in every direction representing not only the LGBT community, but the power of love and acceptance. When I look at that colorful flag I see more than just colors; I see more than gays, lesbians, and trans people. I see love.
I currently reside in London, England for a study abroad opportunity this summer. I have been in London a little over a month, and in this time I've experienced so much of this wonderful place and its people. In my time here, I've also come to learn of the differences between this country and my own. I find myself having to look right instead of left before I cross streets, saying "toilet" instead of "restroom", and having to "tap in" and "tap out" of train stations. But experiencing Pride here was much different than I expected. It was different because although I was no longer in my home country, the desire for acceptance and love people felt here for one another was just as strong as back home, if not more prominent.
Hundreds of people walked the streets in solidarity, waving their flags, bodies adorned with glitter and sparkles, and singing with joy and pride. I ventured out across the ocean, thousands of miles away from home, and found out that the acceptance of love is worldwide. Love is a universal concept; you could venture out all the way to Antarctica and you'd still be able to find a man who loves a woman and a man who loves another man or a woman who loves another woman. Love is everywhere, and it doesn't always look the same, but it's there.
Love does not discriminate, and neither should people. No one chooses to be gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual or queer in any sense. Everyone should live in the way that is comfortable to them, in the way they know they are, and if someone doesn't like it, well... that's none of their business now, is it? Do not concern yourself with the love of others, concern yourself with your own love.
