Marching with Pride

[Stlalice]

There are some here who might not like the idea that being a CD means that you are also part of the larger Transgender and larger still LGBT communities whether you acknowledge it or not. Some would even say that "I'm not one of those people!" The writer of this piece touches all of us whether we call ourselves straight, gay, bisexual,Transgender, CD, MTF, FTM, Drag Queen, or what have you. So read the following and think, "Do I have the courage to march or even stand and watch?" Many here have written that they want acceptance for who they are - how will you stand up and be counted?


Why I'm Marching
Written by The Dandy Man

I'm marching because I'm scared.

I'm scared because people still feel that serial monogamy is better than polyamory.

I am scared because there are so many people in the LGBT community that are at each others throats.

I'm scared because I was only 4 blocks away when Kevin Aviance was attacked and if I had went west instead of east I might have saved him.

I'm scared because the general populace believes that bisexuality is a phase, be they straight or gay.

I'm scared because there are some gay people, no . . . a lot of gay people that are either ashamed or disgusted by effeminate men.

I'm scared because there is a young tranny that is taking street hormones or even worse... staring at themselves crying with scissors in their hands cutting off something other than their hair.

I'm scared because people forget that FTM transgendered people need love too.

I'm scared because so many people in the LGBT community hate on drag queens. They are true warriors of our community. They get up on stage and help us forget the outside. From Lady Bunny to Peppermint Gummybear and from Mo B. Dick to Murray Hill, I thank you so much. And to Kevin Aviance, I'll do what I can to make sure that you or anyone else doesn't go through what you did ever again.

I'm scared because I actually stole something in the military in order to get discharged because I was afraid of what my brothers in arms or my family would say if they knew about me and I have been living that lie ever since.

I am scared because this is my first time marching and not seeing it on the side-lines . . . . . where it's 'safe'.

I'm scared because even though we are marching for our rights here in New York City there are people that hear Stonewall and think a confederate general and not the sparks of freedom... that they have never seen a pride flag or never felt pride in themselves.

I am scared because most of my childhood and half of my teen years, I thought I was confused. Now I know that I am bisexual and it's okay regardless of what others might think, say, preach or prescribe.

I'm scared because a single comic strip in my mid-teens was the barrier between survival till pay-check and medication at bed-check.

I am scared because I thought that I could never be in a committed relationship without somehow at some point in time cheating or chronically 'mate n break.' I didn't know there was a choice.

I'm scared because there are so many people that I love that I haven't met yet that might be at the march. Due to bashers, the religious reich (not a typo I ASSURE YOU), and other factors this could be my chance, my only and last chance to say hello and hopefully not good bye.

I'm scared because I am not the only one with the above thoughts.

I march because no one should have to think like that.

I march for those who wish they could but are afraid.

I march for those whose only viewing of a pride flag is in a magazine hidden underneath their magazine which is hidden underneath their mattress.

I march to say 'thank you' to people Like Charles Nelson Riley, Rip Taylor, Paul Lynde, Scott Thompson, Peter Paige, John Inman, Wilson Cruz and so many others that don't care about what people say about them because they know they look good. And helping me find the strength to do the same. with my own stand-up comedy I will hopefully spread the love of those that are with us and for those who are up there with God, that fat, black lesbian in the sky, margaritas for us, I hope to do you proud.

I march because I don't want to be remembered for what I fight for, but what I fight for to be remembered.

I march because I shouldn't have to...

[Marla S]

Great piece of writing. Thanks

Makes me think.

Well, I missed the CSD today ... isn't me ... go figure:sad::(


I march because I shouldn't have to...:redface:

[Chiana]

Those that stand for what they believe in..... They are the heros.

It is easy to stand far from the sidelines and hope that someday, I will be unafraid to go out in public dressed as the person I feel I am inside. I am not brave. I wish I was.

[prettywithsideburns]

that was beautiful, and it makes me feel bad for being closeted.

[Stlalice]

Chiana, PWS, et all,

Those of us who are out and active understand that being so is no easy thing for some who are closeted and feel afraid. You don't have to march to help yourself and others out though. Just being there to watch the parade even if you are in drab is a start. So is remembering when you vote to try to support politicians that don't use the LGBT community as scapegoats and/or diversions for or from the real issues of today. Maybe its just letting an "out" coworker know that you are cool with their being out and quietly letting it be known that the petty bullshit many of them put up with isn't cool. There are many ways to "march" and not all of them are in a Pride Parade so hold your heads up and be proud - you don't have to shout it out.

[flatlander_48]

Those that stand for what they believe in..... They are the heros.

It is easy to stand far from the sidelines and hope that someday, I will be unafraid to go out in public dressed as the person I feel I am inside. I am not brave. I wish I was.

Half empty or half full?

If we think of ourselves as Not Brave, there is always the potential that we Can Be Brave.

If we think of ourselves as cowards, then where does that leave us?

[SarahLynn]

If we think of ourselves as cowards, then where does that leave us?


If you think you can not win, then you have already lost.

SarahLynn

[Kitty Sue]

so very true. The part about both straight and gay people seeing being bi as just a phase really hit home.

[Melanie R]

Alice,

Great writing about standing up and being counted. Yesterday in Houston the local TG community marched and had one of the best floats of the 80+ in the 29th Pride Parade. This was our 14th year to participate. Our theme this year was Free To Be Trans. On the float which followed the banner which read "Houston Transgendered Community" held by 3 TG's were 23 of all flavors of the TG community including a beautiful TG dressed as Lady Liberty and holding her light for all to see. The crowds numbering over 150,000 along the 1 1/2 mile parade route went wild with applause as the girls/guys tossed Mardi Gras beads and the loud speakers played Born to be Free and Free to Be Who We Are. I was never so proud to be out in public and proclaiming that I am proud to be transgendered.

Hugs,

Melanie

[noname]

I can't believe I forgot about the march in my city. Like the article I would definately be scared. But I wanted to take the liberty to speak up for what I believe in.

[battybattybats]

Powerful points!
Thankyou Stlalice for posting this.
Some of the points remind me of comments I read recently from the widow of Martin Luther King in support of gay rights.


Coretta Scott King, speaking four days before the 30th anniversary of her husband's assassination, said Tuesday the civil rights leader's memory demanded a strong stand for gay and lesbian rights. "I still hear people say that I should not be talking about the rights of lesbian and gay people and I should stick to the issue of racial justice," she said. "But I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King Jr. said, 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.'" "I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream to make room at the table of brother- and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people," she said. - Reuters, March 31, 1998.

Sure it might be easier to gain acceptance the more 'normal' we are other than our particular difference and I've seen it occur again and again, amongst all sorts of civil rights activists that their own tolerance stops hypcritically short. Sure if the gay community were to suppress the drag queens, effeminate folk and polyamorous they might 'fit in' more easily.. sure some of the straight CDs who can pass and dress to avoid notice would be able to gain acceptance if it weren't for those who do not pass kept quiet, if the fetishists staid in their own homes, if the Bi CD's kept quiet and if the CD/TS porn was to vanish away. But what price is that to pay?

How can we demand acceptance without calling for the acceptance of all others whose actions or natures are as ethical as our own and as different from us as we are from those who do not accept us?

The trouble with pride marches is that they often stay put after their inmitial effect and don't reach out to those in most need. Perhaps we should consider following the example of the civil rights 'freedom rides' in America and Australia... busing activists into regional centres, having rallies at locations of hate crimes to show our defiance. Marching with other causes to show our solidarity and inmviting them to march in ours.

For those who cannot march we should work on ways to help from a distance.