PRIDE...

                              



PRIDE MONTH is the time for me to once again answer so many folks who have asked, why is it so important for gay people to come out of "their closets", to parade and shout...  because it is a designated time for a community of people who have been throughout history told and treated as though we were less than, not equal to...  

As the LGBT+ community and other marginalized groups continue to see hate and violence escalate in this country,  I want to call to your attention the frightening historical records of what America actually took part in when the war camps in Germany, particularly Dachau, were finally liberated. When members of the camps were liberated, past criminals included, those who had been identified by the pink and black triangles marking them as "homosexuals, inverts and transvestites" were sent to prisons in keeping with the German law which called for imprisoning their kind. At this moment, under the present Republican Administration, America is once again repeating the hate, discrimination and violence experienced during this deplorable era of world history. Only this time, it is not only the LGBTQ+ community once identified by pink and black triangles,  but descendants of families who came and still come to this country, from all over the globe seeking to live in freedom and without fear.

History cannot be erased nor can it be undone, no matter what attempts are made to remove it. Books can be banned and rewritten, lies can be spoken and stories fabricated...it will not change the truths of history because history is a living thing. It comes from people who breathed it, tasted it, survived or died from it. That is why history will always exist; it survives through the lives of the living.  There is no way to change or alter history. Can it be denied? Yes, but that denial is steeped in ignorance and fear. The only way to combat this ignorance and to not repeat history is through education. I believe that a country that takes care of all people, not just their people, and welcomes those who enter their borders is indeed a country in which to have pride. Most of our present government officials, Republicans and Democrats, are no longer acting on their oaths as elected officials to uphold our sacred Constitution. They are fearful and I think that fear is misplaced. It should never be the President they fear but rather the people they promised to serve.
 
I am not able to hold and fight for pride in this country at this alarming and horrifying time. I will now and always fight for pride in who I am and who loves me. That fight cannot take place as a closeted LGBTQ+ person, or for someone who's native language is not English or are not Caucasian, or are physically or mentally challenged... staying hidden and quiet only continues our ongoing battles for self-esteem. People MUST ALL BE SEEN in this world, not closeted and surely not just tolerated. Visibility is the only way to assist in the ongoing education of people. Being known, being loved and being cared about assists in the ongoing work against ignorance. I am told that people see only what they want to see...I say people see only what they are comfortable seeing. Education opens people's eyes, minds and hearts to being comfortable in treating all people with respect and dignity. This sadly does not describe our world today. But there are pockets of hope and in those pockets of hope lies the answer to why it is important to be out.  Out and loud hope, seen and heard hope.


I recently finished reading this book.  For me it was a most painful and difficult read. I like reading historical fiction not only because I enjoy reading but because I know the importance of history and highly value education.  This book will answer why PRIDE MONTH exists should you still have doubts.
Jackie Pelletier
June 2025

p.s. feel free to copy and share



Comments

  1. AnonymousJune 3, 2025 at 4:45 PM

    Thanks for sharing. I will read it. ❤️❤️

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJune 5, 2025 at 4:32 PM

    I’ve heard people say, when the conversation is about the concentration camps of Hitler’s Germany, “thank God that never happened here.” Well, guess what, my friends; there are things going on now in our country that truly terrify me. Dave

    ReplyDelete

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