Bright Pride
Something deep has been on my mind in recent months. I know where I stand on the matter but move to silence when ideas feel controversial. I would like to claim that it is because I am a peacemaker; More truthfully it is because I have not been brave. However, I’d like to step into my more authentic role as a cheerleader for those in the arena now.
Recently my voice gained courage in an unlikely circumstance where hate was spoken. There is a voice that needs to be heard and there should be love spoken here. My topic today is on pride and the belonging of the LGBTQ+ community. Before I dive in, I would like to share the moment of clarity I had to write this.
The backyard is shades of vibrant green because of the recent rain. Jolene, Luke, and I had just sat down for bacon and eggs as is our morning routine. Jolene, age two, runs over to the window chewing a large bite of breakfast and looks outside. A second later she covers her eyes with her left hand and closes the shade quickly with her right stating “Too Bright Mr. Sun!”. I giggled with ease and then saw something profound in this moment.
The bright individuals that came to mind were those within the LGBTQ+ community. These people are bright like the sun and when confronted with a lack of understanding can be told they are ‘too bright’. Those that criticize may shield their eyes, draw the shade, or even ask the bright before them to dim themselves. However, it is not our task as human beings to make those around us comfortable; especially when it means dimming our light.
Opening the back door Jolene and I stepped outside met with a warm June breeze. In deep thought, I looked at the sun directly for a moment, fighting my logic. Unsurprisingly, the sun was blinding in its brightness. I turned around letting the spots fade and feeling silly. My sight returned to reveal the artistic shadows of the trees on the dancing blades of grass. This illuminated beauty behind me was what I was missing out on by fixating on my own discomfort.
How much connection is missed by those blinded with discomfort? The sun is uniquely skilled at illuminating, we would be foolish to ask it to change. If we could all turn to the rays and their artful illuminations, would our world be improved? Asking the sun to change only puts us in an awkward spot with no positive results.
I don’t know anyone close to me who is a member of the LGBTQ+ community……yet. Once realizing this temporary fact, I became aware of the need to stand openly in my belief that all people are worthy of love and full acceptance. It is no ones duty to change them through judgement, that is called shame. I wish to be thought of as an ally and not a bystander.
What if instead of waiting for people to ‘come out’ to us as we sit idle and observing, we sacrifice comfort to stand up for those unlike us. What magic will follow?
What if instead of debating if this is right or wrong we accept that it isn’t up to us to judge. It is our task to build our happiest life and let the pieces fall elsewhere.
What beauty will come when we all empower one another to live our most honest lives?
Don’t we all have something to learn from one another? Making space for these truths to be shared without judgement can lead to full hearts and deep connection.
There is not one lifestyle that can fit all human beings. Most people can agree on that. Perhaps next we could appreciate that we are not all going to be comfortable in the same box or label either. Not agreeing can rob us of the illuminations that could be seen with a shifted perspective. We are all worthy of a lifestyle that meets our immediate needs and allows us to thrive.
The sun is indeed bright. We can turn toward it shielding ours eyes in discomfort but it will not change the content. If we turn toward the illuminated beauty the sun creates by being itself I think we can all feel a little more comfortable being who we are.
Can this degree of love and respect change the world? I know that it could change the world for one. I believe there would be big magic to follow.
I love my family and my people. The thought of any of them hiding their truest selves out of fear they will not be loved in return is more than I can quietly hold. We are all worthy of love and respect regardless of our religious beliefs, political opinions, or backgrounds.
I am open and accepting of people like me and unlike me. I am wired in my bones to be the way that I am. I did not choose my sexuality, so it is difficult to believe anyone else did. No one is asking me to change or dim my light. From this comfortable and common space, I am committed to standing with those who are made uncomfortable in their truth. You are in the arena and I am your ally and your cheerleader.
May we all respect ourselves enough to live transparently in our beauty; and may we love and accept others as they do they same.
Happy Pride Month!
-Hill
Photography by
Shelley Foster Photography and Lauren Maeve Photograohy
