Empowerment

Sins of Being Seen. Content Warning.
Dedication For every soul who lived loud, soft, scared, or fierce; for every name they tried to erase; for every body that dared to breathe when the world called it sin. This is for you. We are still here. We are still rising.
By S.L. James10 months ago in Pride
Understanding pride: More Than Just a Celebration
Understanding Pride: More Than Just a Celebration Depending on the context, "pride" can mean anything from personal self-esteem to collective celebration. However, in contemporary times, and especially during the month of June, "Pride" has come to symbolize the LGBTQ+ community's struggle for dignity, rights, and recognition. However, to overlook Pride's deeper political and emotional essence is to view it solely as a colorful parade or social media trend. Pride is an ongoing struggle for equality, a declaration of identity, and a protest against oppression. Pride's Origins To understand the true meaning of Pride, one must look back to its origins. The modern LGBTQ+ Pride movement began after the Stonewall Riots in New York City in June 1969. A police raid on the gay bar Stonewall Inn in Manhattan set off these riots, which led to days of protest by the LGBTQ+ community against constant harassment and police brutality. In honor of this act of resistance, the first Pride march was held a year later. What began as a protest has now grown into a global movement. As a Protest, Pride Even today, Pride remains deeply political. LGBTQ+ people still face violence, discrimination, and criminalization in many parts of the world. In over 60 countries, same-sex relationships are illegal, and in several, they are punishable by death. Due to safety concerns, pride celebrations in these nations are either outlawed, heavily censored, or secret. Pride is therefore more than just a celebration; it is also an act of resistance. It is a public assertion of existence in societies that often try to erase queer identities. In addition to waving a rainbow flag, marching in Pride is about reclaiming space, demanding justice, and asserting that love—in whatever form it takes—is a human right. As a Celebration, Pride Pride is also a celebration of identity, love, and community at the same time. It provides a safe environment in which LGBTQ+ individuals can freely and authentically express themselves. The vibrant parades, music, dance, and art that characterize Pride events worldwide are all expressions of joy and resilience. They reflect the diversity and creativity of the LGBTQ+ community, often overlooked in mainstream narratives. Celebrating Pride also helps break down social stigma. When people see others living openly and joyfully, it challenges stereotypes and fosters greater acceptance. Pride can be a beacon of hope and belonging for young queer people, particularly those who struggle with identity or isolation. Political and corporate influence In recent years, Pride has become more commercialized, with major corporations participating in Pride parades and changing their logos to rainbow versions during June. This is criticized as "rainbow-washing," or using the Pride symbol for profit without supporting real change, despite the fact that some view it as evidence of growing acceptance. True allyship requires more than a colorful logo. Fair workplace policies, inclusive education, LGBTQ+ healthcare access, and advocacy for policy reform are just a few examples of the actions that businesses and governments must take to demonstrate their public support. Otherwise, Pride risks losing its radical edge and becoming just another marketing opportunity. Intersectionality in Pride It is also essential to acknowledge the diversity within the LGBTQ+ community. Issues faced by queer people are not the same for everyone. Race, gender, class, disability, and geography all play crucial roles in shaping experiences. Black and brown trans women, for example, face disproportionately high rates of violence. Pride must be inclusive and intersectional to be truly meaningful. It should amplify the voices of the most marginalized within the community, not just those who are more socially accepted or visible. The Way Forward While significant progress has been made in LGBTQ+ rights in many parts of the world—such as legalizing same-sex marriage, adopting anti-discrimination laws, and recognizing non-binary identities—much work remains. Pride is a reminder of both how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go. Empathy and education are essential. Gender and sexuality education should be inclusive in schools. Media should represent diverse queer lives accurately and respectfully. Most importantly, families and communities must provide safe spaces for individuals to be who they are without fear or shame. Conclusion Pride is more than a rainbow flag or a parade—it is a symbol of strength, resistance, love, and hope. It is a reminder that everyone deserves the right to live authentically and safely, no matter who they love or how they identify. Pride boldly declares: we are here, we are proud, and we are not going anywhere in a world that still frequently views queerness as something to be hidden or punished.
By Sabrina 10 months ago in Pride
Sharpen Your Axe: The Quiet Power of Doing Less and Living More
There are days I feel like I’m swinging an axe that gets duller with every chop. I keep going because that’s what we’re told to do—push harder, stay busy, hustle. But I’ve learned something that completely changed the way I look at effort, ambition, and success. And I want to share it with you, not as a lesson from some expert, but as a whisper from one human to another—someone who's also trying to figure this out.
By Naseem Bibi10 months ago in Pride
What I Learned From Gay Culture: No One Will Love Me If...
Can you think of something you learned as a child and later realized it was a lie? The Easter Bunny and Santa Claus come to mind. With them, it’s easy to believe they don’t exist. We may even wonder why we ever held to such outlandish stories.
By Brandon Ellrich10 months ago in Pride
Spring's Gentle Hand
The winter's grip begins to cease, A softer air brings gentle peace. No biting winds that chill us through, But breezes whispering, fresh and new.
By Iftikhar Akram10 months ago in Pride
The Advocate’s Oath
n the quiet corners of the justice system, there lived a man who still believed in truth—not the kind that sat on paper, bound in legal codes, but the kind that was felt deep in the soul. His name was Barrister Asim Raza, a seasoned advocate known not for his victories, but for the cases he chose to fight—ones others wouldn’t touch.
By Ali 10 months ago in Pride
listing queerly
the thing about queer is it's more than a sexuality or gender, it's a declaration. it's not just a personal state of mind,
By kp10 months ago in Pride
Old Me, New Me, Same Me
I never saw a dyke I didn't like. Not always romantically, at least platonically, but likely enviously. I love a dyke Like I love myself:
By kp10 months ago in Pride
Superstar Divine Gay Feminines
How does it feel to be a gay divine feminine in a world of contrasting beliefs? If this is you, take a bow. You are not alone and are part of an enchanting collective of women who honor their bisexual or lesbian selves with love and respect. To walk a planet of bias and righteous indignation takes a soul brave enough to awaken others to the rigid ideals that dominate a world fixated on what is predictable. Being gay is a gateway to exceptional growth, although our world is flawed with bias, bullying, and indifference. In a darkening world, I find myself drawn to the call of the light, an esoteric ideal similar to religion but differing in its stance of soul safaris on Planet Earth. To say I am a soul is to understand the depth of the cosmos and the mysterious intellect that inspires soul growth and expansion. Life is short in the context of being human and the mystery of our arrival on Earth. Souls are fluid and ghostlike, while humans are flesh and blood, equipped with intelligence and a divine essence of light and dark. A mainstay in this universe of conceptual contrasts. The light sparkles as we travel through time on a mission of honorable importance. It may be as an earth angel here to rescue animals that felt the sting of human abuse or as an awakener of lost souls. The heart of humanity is broken, fragmented from the curse of life and ancestral wounding. The cycle of suffering holds the heart to ransom, causing blocks to love and frequencies that align with human happiness.
By Linda E Cole10 months ago in Pride
Being Your Own Change!!. Top Story - April 2025.
Today I started my online training to be an advocate for STAR® (Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response). I took about 2 hours to read and watch videos on the history of not just STAR® but also on the movement against Sexual Violence. This first few parts of my training culminated with a great Ted Talk by Tarana Burke who coined the term #MeToo. It's been a long road to even get as far as we have in the fight against Sexual Violence be it Rape, Domestic Violence, Workplace Harassment or Stalking. I watched some videos about the early movement of awareness and response with woman such as Gloria Steinem, Barbara Jordan, and Dianne Feinstein. There was also a great Ted Talk by Jackson Katz about Violence against women being a man's issue. (Included below)
By ᔕᗩᗰ ᕼᗩᖇTY10 months ago in Pride
Go Your Own Way
Introduction I have written a simple sonnet, and I hope it does not offend anyone because I am a white, old male, but I fully support the whole of the LGBTQ+ spectrum.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 10 months ago in Pride
Bloom
I look in the mirror and I see a friend. Someone's daughter, lover, some-day mother. She is meticulously crafted from the Earth's dust and she is the universe given form. Her cheeks are red with the blood of life and her limbs are thick with nutrients and strength. Her curves are immaculate and authentic, like she is Venus reborn. She is beautiful, inside and out.
By New England Poet 10 months ago in Pride