Landon wrote this for his friend group and shared it with me, and I have his permission to post it here as well for my record. I love my Landon so much. We have both grown so much in the last 20 years.
20 years of Pride parades and festivals. The world has changed drastically. At 16, I “snuck out” to attend my first Pride celebration by myself. I didn’t have much pride then, I was secretive and quiet and depressed and scared and Mormon and “ssa’d” and….
There were no corporate sponsors that I remember and our parade was nowhere near 3 hours long. The crowds were definitely smaller, which was a relief because I didn’t want people to see me. But I went. And I saw people being proud of who they were and who they love. Women who were strong and brave. Men who were sensitive and flamboyant. It felt more like a Protest or a party. There were less kids and families around. As the straights became better allies and more gays had kids, that has changed.
And today I don’t have many secrets, if any at all, and I found my voice and use it a lot. I have found so much joy or at least I know that the sad moments will pass, and we can get through. And I’m not afraid of who I am or how I am, in fact, I love it. And I found peace with my own spirituality. And I’m gay. Being gay is great. I’d definitely choose it to the alternative.
20 years of going to Pride. 16 y/o me couldn’t comprehend my life and all that it is. He couldn’t see how Pride would grow and change. My son attended his 1st Pride as an out gay man this year. It was a very different experience from mine was 20 years ago.
20 years ago, I showed up afraid. This year, I showed up full.
Full of life, full of love, full of stories and scars and glitter and grace.
Pride isn’t a parade. It’s a process
Of learning to speak
Of daring to dance
Of loving who you are and who you are becoming
I wish 16-year-old me could have seen this. Seen my husband’s hand in mine. Seen my son walking proudly. Seen the love, the family, the joy.
But I know he’d be proud of me. Just like I’m proud of him—for going, for looking, for wondering if there was more.
There was. There is.
I celebrate Pride now not just for me, but for the scared and alone 16y/o I was… and the brave young man my son is today. I celebrate for everyone still learning how to love themselves in a world that doesn’t always make it easy.
To anyone still in the quiet shadows: come as you are. We’re saving you a place in the sun - where you can be embraced in rainbow light and know true peace, love, and joy
🌈❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🌈