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There are so many different layers of diversity and experiences out there that even a 15–part documentary series featuring hundreds of individuals would leave gaping holes. It was daunting thinking about depicting what and who LGBT America is in just six profiles – three pages of text – mostly focused on places we aren’t well–connected in.
Some see Pride celebrations as political events, tracing them to their historic roots as Stonewall–era protests. Others see Pride as a their best chance in the year to let loose, dress up, party and dance. But across the range one element holds, not just for LGBT people but for all humans: Pride is about being able to express who we are.
I wonder: as we gain greater acceptance in mainstream society, as we move further away from Stonewall, are we losing some of what has made us so special for so long – liberation?
Coming out and joining the community, it turns out, is only the beginning of the process of becoming who we are.
As one journey ends today, May 1, 2013, another begins. Let the jubilation of victory fuel our continued march toward marriage.
But regardless of where we each live or feel the most free, we’re also a community with a concern for the wider world, for social justice, for beauty and for future generations we hope will benefit from what we fight for today.
While we celebrate our institution and our community’s past and future in our anniversary issue, I can’t help to celebrate the businesses who have supported Out Front all these years.
When the law takes effect May 1, it will culminate a story that began on Valentine’s Day more than two years ago, February 2011, when Sen. Pat Steadman, only the third openly gay state legislator in Colorado history (now one of eight currently serving), first introduced his civil unions bill.
We could spend much time talking about the complex relationship between trans people and the rest of the LGBT community, or whether trans people are accepted enough within the community – but the truth is, trans people are already at the center of our community and its social world, history and politics.
I got to enact my dreams for the big screen on a local scale – playing in Colorado theatre house productions when I was 15 to 21, creating an identity through on-stage success, with dreams – the lofty goal – of one day taking it to the silver screen.