June is Pride Month. And for some reason, being accepting upsets certain people. I'll never understand it because didn't they learn the lesson to be kind in Kindergarten? Or were they asleep during that part? My daughter is in the LGBTQIA+ community, so I am an ally, and I tend to take it personally when someone tells me they are against Pride.
There are all sorts of comments being made about June. The same ones tend to be recycled, so I figured it might be helpful to clear up some ridiculous misconceptions about the month.
These are some real comments I have received on my blog and on social media accounts. (Seriously, I had a reel on Instagram hit 102K views and over 1000 comments, and yup, some ignorant folks flooded in.)
1. "June should be for the military." I get this so often on my page, it's comical at this point. My Mom was in the military. I was married to someone in the military. Neither of them are offended that June is Pride Month. And here's a shocker for those people: NOVEMBER is National Veterans and Military Families month. Furthermore, May is National Military Appreciation Month. If people just did a little research, they'd know this.
2. "Keep Pride out of schools." How is being accepting a BAD thing? I'm in Texas, and they are trying to force the Ten Commandments to be in classrooms. But heaven forbid there's a rainbow. I know many teens feel welcome and safe when they have spotted Pride flags. Several have even stated they didn't take their lives because they felt UNDERSTOOD.
3. "Pride is shoved in my face!" It's truly not. If a man and a woman can kiss and hold hands openly in public, so can a man and a man or a woman and a woman and...WHOEVER. It's not a big deal.
4. "Pride is indoctrination for kids." I got a comment saying that children are being forced to watch drag queens. Uh, no they are not. The person was like, "What about the drag queens reading to the kids?" I had to remind the moron it's the PARENT who brings kids to that. And honestly, I'd rather my kid be in the presence of a drag queen than a person in Washington any day. Drag queens are fun. And some of the kindest humans you'll ever meet.
5. "There should be straight Pride." Every day is straight Pride. Please show me where it's illegal for being a heterosexual. Having a month were others feel visible should never be considered a bad thing.
6. "God says it's an abomination." Well, that's your religion, not mine. I'm all for people being able to believe what they wish. Life is tough! If believing in god makes someone happy, yay! But do not tell me I'm going to hell or some other nonsense, because it's simply not true. I believe in a higher being, and who that higher being is, I do not know. But what I do believe is that we should not judge others and tell them they are going to hell if they happen to love a person of the same sex. I am so proud of the churches who have pride flags in front of their buildings. There's one down the street from me, and I can almost bet it has made someone feel acknowledged and recognized.
So here's the thing about Pride Month: it's a month of celebration. It's a month of remembering and honoring those who have lost their lives simply for living their truths. It's a month when a teen who might not feel accepted at home, can feel at peace. They realize they are not wrong or an abomination. There's color and laughter and glitter...lots and lots of glitter.
And that can never be a bad thing.
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This is absolutely infuriating! If something doesn't personally affect someone, they need to keep their noses out of it. And at the end of the day, if seeing people in love and living their lives authentically is so upsetting to someone, I pity them. They must be living miserable, unloved lives.
ReplyDeleteI really can't stand peopel sometimes. I fume when people talk about pride or same sex relationships being shoved in their faces. They have ZERO problem with heterosexuals holding hands or kissing. Just be honest about your homophobia... Geez.
ReplyDeleteThe same tired comments every June -for real. Kindness really shouldn't be this controversial! Thanks for this article.
ReplyDeleteI have 2 'kids' that are in the LGBTQIA+ community, which, like you, I already knew before they came out LOL. I am a mama bear when it comes to them and anyone in that community. Like, mind your own damn business.
ReplyDeleteYour post highlights frustrating comments about Pride Month thoughtfully, encouraging empathy, awareness, and respectful understanding among readers.
ReplyDeleteAmber thanks highlights frustrating Pride Month comments with clarity and empathy, encouraging respectful dialogue and greater understanding among readers.
ReplyDeleteWorking in a middle school, I've seen it all with these kids. I did not allow any mean words at anyone, for any reason, no matter what they were talking about. I saw boys and girls walking around holding hands, and a lot of girls and girls walking around holding hands. It seems like the younger generation don't have a problem, but the older generation that does from what I've witnessed.
ReplyDeletePeople can be so mean sometimes. I will never understand why kindness and acceptance upset some people so much. Everyone deserves to feel loved, respected, and safe being who they are.
ReplyDeletePride Month is more important than ever. At a time when hateful rhetoric and discriminatory messages are coming from positions of power, LGBTQ+ communities are experiencing the very real impact of those words.
ReplyDeleteEveryone deserves to be seen, respected, and safe. Pride is a celebration, but it's also a reminder that every person deserves the freedom to live authentically and be treated with dignity.
Great and wonderful how you tackled the comments directly instead of avoiding them - it felt honest. Have a great month! :)
ReplyDeleteWow, what can I say other than, there are some very ignorant people out there. I personally don't see the issue with June being Pride month, to be honest it makes it that much more colourful and fun. It's shocking that people are still so backwards!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's crazy how some people feel completely comfortable being rude and hurtful to others. I'm glad you stood your ground and addressed those comments instead of staying silent. It feels like kindness, compassion, and respect are becoming harder to find these days. We should be lifting each other up, not tearing each other down. It's sad that some people can't simply let others live their lives and find happiness.
ReplyDeleteThankfully, no one in my circle is not accepting. I just don't get those who insult PRIDE. It's so important to put more love, compassion and understanding into the world. I am particularly irritated by so-called-religious people who spew hate toward these communities. Long may compassion live!
ReplyDeleteI have no idea some people could be against pride... They don't understand the "live and let live" mantra. More love, less hate, it would be a better world for sure.
ReplyDeleteIt’s crazy it needs to be said, but it’s not hard to choose kindness. What others do is none of your business if it isn’t harming anyone.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great thing it is to stand up for kindness and call out the absurd negativity that surfaces during the celebrations.
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing this post. This is so true. Some of the comments people make about Pride Month are seriously ignorant. No one is forcing anything in anyone’s face. Most people are simply living their lives.
ReplyDeleteAnd with drag queens reading to children, their parents brought them there. It’s not like the kids drove themselves. People need to stop acting like everything is being forced on them.
I have heard some of these before. It is beyond me that people can think like this. We need a more positive world!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is married to a woman. I have accepted her as my daughter as well. I support them 100 percent. Yes I’m a Christian and bible believer. But to me love is love.
ReplyDeleteI’m a Christian. I grew up near a Muslim family and our families are very close. It doesn’t matter to me that they practice a different religion. I also know someone who is gay, and I think he is an amazing person. I have a family member who is close friends with someone who is transgender. All this to say, I love people regardless of background. I’m not going to judge, and I don’t think others should either. Everyone should be able to live their lives how they see fit as long as they’re not hurting anyone. That’s how I see it. Freedom of choice is a beautiful thing.
ReplyDeleteI think any opportunity to celebrate diversity, acceptance, and respect for others should be embraced. The more we recognize and appreciate our differences, the stronger and more welcoming our communities become.
ReplyDeleteWe’ll continue hoping for a world where people can be more accepting because, at the end of the day, respect and kindness cost nothing.
ReplyDeleteSending love and support to everyone celebrating Pride Month.
Sending Love and Joy to all for Pride Month! It's so sad that we live in such a divisive world. It makes no sense why people have to insist on shoving their hateful ideas in our faces. Sadly, love, live and let live is not the language of hateful people. Shame on them! Elizabeth F
ReplyDeleteI started playing Drive Mad during a break and ended up spending much longer than expected. The vehicle physics make every level feel different, which keeps the challenge fresh.
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