Lezzi’s and Gay’s, and Bi’s OH MY!!!

     So... if you are member or a friend of the “community” as it is called, you are aware that once a year, typically between June-September Queens (not to be confused with gays) around the world gather their hoop skirts, dawn ridiculous attire and march in the street to Cher, Madonna, Christina, and/or Lady Gaga depending on your generation (however, I am pretty sure they are all the same person… Vampires never age). Yes, it is the season of PRIDE!  However, I would like to pose the question… Is this really necessary?  Before people get their panties in a knot:

1.      NOBODY loves a good drag show more than me… they are quite entertaining!

2.      I teach Drama and Ballet …(need I say more here)

3.      I love the community

However, as an educator I have to wonder: What is the cost of all this so called PRIDE?

     Recently, I had a conversation with a student who is going through their own coming of age. Their parents (and I am staying gender neutral for a reason), are “stereotypically Christian”  and we will call it “southern gender typical”  and though we are in the generation of Ellen, Will and Grace, LOGO, HERETV, Neil Patrick Harris and secretly Anderson Cooper ( come on …he does a show with Kathy Griffin!!) This student has made himself sick, because his knowledge and for that matter his parents knowledge of what gay is...is the over the top celebration of PRIDE.  What is the cost of that Pink thong?

     Before somebody attempts to give me a history lesson about PRIDE: I know it.  However, there is a difference between pride and theatrically. Pride is not flaunting your sexuality, but appreciating your history.  Leave the floats dedicated to promiscuous sex (however fun) and make more prominate the floats dedicated to Rock Hudson, Ellen,  Alvin Ailey, Billie Joe Armstrong, John Altherson, Bishop Gene Robinson, James Baldwin, Samuel Barber, Clive Barker and  slew of other folks I don’t feel like looking up on Wikipedia. You can’t tell people “IT GETS BETTER” when society is constantly inundated with unsupportive images, many of which is not only fostered by, but supported by the LGBT community.  There are more average Dick and Jane questioning teens out there than those that want to dance semi nude on a gay pride float. Note: I am not saying sexuality is all that PRIDE stands for, but like it or not, that is the face of PRIDE.   LGBT youth  need to know that "it gets better" because there are Doctors, Lawyers, Politicians, Police men and women, teachers, engineers, and host of other professional occupations, that are SOCIETAL SUCCESSES.  LBGT  youth do not have to be a stereotypes ( Bears, Twinks, Dykes, Lipstick, Gym Rats etc.) to “fit in”; only then will "IT GET BETTER."
     I am grateful that my “children” feel comfortable enough to call me and say “I really need to talk”… even in my off months, even when they’re in college… It means a lot …But dear God, the LGBT community needs a PR agent badly… But then again what do I know… I am just a Negro on a veranda….

To My kid…I cry with you because I love you, God loves you… I need you to survive… This song is for you….