Happy Pride! Week Nine in the Time of Coronavirus

Happy Pride Day. Today our trans son is celebrating. 24 years ago we unwittingly scheduled our wedding on Pride Day. Some friends fittingly missed our straight wedding to celebrate their identity while they marched for their rights. Others gay friends were generous to give up their place in the parade to witness our wedding. And everyone had to deal with the traffic that was rerouted to accommodate the crowds and the parade. Larry and I realized then the privilege we enjoyed by being able to get married in 1997.

The world has come a long way since then. It took another 14 years for same sex marriage to be legalized in New York state. Yet in many ways we have a long way to go. I see this as Alex enjoys the freedom to be himself among his friends, however, he gets judged in others’ company. Not all, but some.

When I was young, I naively believed love would heal all. I am a true believer in love. And I believe we all have the right to love. But healing often takes love, respect, compassion, listening…