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Joe Prince's avatar

Happy Pride, gentlemen. The grinch parallel was perfect!

I think the one thing they don’t get is that - especially for those of us gays who are GenX and up - we remember what the days were like when you had less visibility. We still thrived. We still marched. We still fought. Strangely, for me, anyway, it felt safer to be openly gay in 1995 than it does now. They can take Pride (the celebration), but they can’t take my joy.

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Brent Hartinger's avatar

Thank you. And yeah -- I should write about this -- I felt safer in 1995 too, because it felt like history had our back, that society was going in the RIGHT direction. Now there is no telling how far this madness is going to go, but I don't think parallels to Germany in 1933 are far off.

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Joe Prince's avatar

They most certainly aren’t far off. My god, we have brownshirts scooping innocent people off the streets. It’s madness, man. Just madness.

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Brent Hartinger's avatar

Ask Michael. Every day I read the paper, and I'm just absolutey agog.

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Michael Jensen's avatar

No, they can't. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

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Nick Lewis's avatar

My brother put it quite nicely, in the context of people’s colour (he like me is white and married to a lovely black lady) - “Trump is one of the last scared white men” - people with power are scared of freedom and people living happily I’ve many friends in the LGBTQ community, have never been to any pride events but think it would be cool if allies like myself attended events, just to support them and swell their numbers. I know many people do, even if they are straight people. We are society.

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Brent Hartinger's avatar

I think Pride should be as open and inclusive as possible! That is the GOAL, in fact.

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Nick Lewis's avatar

Some friends of mine who are not involved in the LGBTQ scene (as far as I know!!) went to a pride event not long ago, here in England, possibly Brighton. They loved it had a lot of fun. I’m disgusted by the laws that have been passed here and in the US stripping people of their rights, especially trans people. I thought the world was becoming much more liberal. Sadly I’m wrong; but I know that can be changed in the longer term. I hope.

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Michael Jensen's avatar

He's a scared white man doing horrible damage to America and the world. It's terrifying.

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Nick Lewis's avatar

I really feel for Americans especially my friends and colleagues over the other side of the pond. None of it makes sense.

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Brent Hartinger's avatar

America is not the country I thought it was, by far.

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Nick Lewis's avatar

Hence you moved away! Not surprised.

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Brent Hartinger's avatar

Haha fair point.

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Kim's avatar

Great article. The world has changed for the better, whether the powers that be recognize it or not. Love will win in the end. Happy Pride to both of you and keep writing your truth!

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Michael Jensen's avatar

Thanks, Kim!

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DR Darke's avatar

::if people think the open hostility of the Trump administration to LGBTQ people and our concerns means our community will now roll over and play dead, they know even less about us than we thought.::

I think it's endearing that Trump thinks if he throws a tantrum, the gay community will just roll over and play dead, like you were Republicans or media moguls or some other form of chickenshit.

...I'm sorry, that's a typo. Trump's not "endearing", he's repulsive, disgusting, bullying, cowardly, and too stupid to be trusted with the position of Dogcatcher, let alone President.

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Michael Jensen's avatar

The LGBTQ community was only one of a couple of demographics that went more Democratic. We get the threat he poses.

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DR Darke's avatar

Yes, but the LGBTQ community has been here before, and knows how to fight back.

Okay, so do Feminists, Blacks, Hispanics, and every other group that the White Power Structure doesn't like to share with. But you know who DOESN'T?

MAGA—their White Privilege is so all-encompassing they think they're above the law! 🤢

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Brent Hartinger's avatar

😂😂😂

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Molly Ringle's avatar

I love Pride month, and year-round Pride! Try as they might, this is indeed a genie they will never stuff back into the bottle.

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Brent Hartinger's avatar

They're sure trying hard, aren't they?

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Molly Ringle's avatar

They wouldn't be trying so hard if the movement didn't carry a lot of influence. 😉

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Michael Jensen's avatar

💯💯💯

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Shawn's avatar

It really heartens me to see the global resistance to the bullshit that's going on. I don't usually head down to the main Pride parade in my celebration in my home city, but this year it felt like it was important to get out. I was pleasantly surprised by the energy this year, but the absence of a lot of the more corporate trappings of Pride is also notable. I don't need rainbow logos plastered everywhere, but I have definitely been trying to move my business to places that have been resisting the political winds (preferring the more politically neutral ALDI or the explicitly resisting Costco; avoiding Bezos properties like Whole Foods). It's not much, but it makes me feel better, anyway.

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Brent Hartinger's avatar

Yeah there's something in the air. I have big complaints with much of LGBTQ leadership, but obviously none of that matters now. We'll settle those disputes when we vanquish fascism.

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Michael Jensen's avatar

I felt that way the first time Trump get elected.

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Andrea Stoeckel's avatar

Happy Pride from a retired UCC minister in the middle of divorce from my lesbian partner after 25 years

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Brent Hartinger's avatar

Oh, I'm sorry. Thinking of you...

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Andrea Stoeckel's avatar

Thank you Brent. It's OK

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Michael Young's avatar

Happy Pride! 🌈 Crazy that we can go backwards as a society in these ways, but it’s always so inspiring to see people power push back ✊

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Brent Hartinger's avatar

Ah, Humanity, you so often suck.

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Michael Jensen's avatar

🏳️‍🌈🥰🏳️‍🌈🥰

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Robin Gilmartin's avatar

Need it now more than ever!

https://rgilmartin.substack.com/p/proud-and-clear

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Brent Hartinger's avatar

Indeed!

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KewtieBird’s Photo Journey's avatar

Happy PRIDE!!! 🏳️‍🌈

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Michael Jensen's avatar

Thanks, KB!

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Karen M. Ricks (she/her)'s avatar

Roll over and play dead?! Ha, neverrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!

Rainbow Heart Emojis · · ❤️🩷🧡💛💚💙💜🩶🤎🖤🤍🏳️‍🌈🌈

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Michael Jensen's avatar

🥰🥰🥰

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Stefanie Schulenberg's avatar

Great article - and Happy Pride🏳️‍🌈! Progress and love will prevail!

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Michael Jensen's avatar

Thanks, Stefanie!

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Maria Anderson's avatar

Thank you for this recount—it is important to remember and keep moving with pride.

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Michael Jensen's avatar

🥰🏳️‍🌈💯🥰🏳️‍🌈💯

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Wilma Schroeder 🇨🇦🇺🇦's avatar

Happy Pride from Canada, to you and all the LGBTQ+ people who enrich our world! I’m a proud stepmom/mom-in-law, niece, aunt, friend and ally. Keep on fighting the good fight.

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Michael Jensen's avatar

Thanks, Wilma! Keep Canada 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

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Brent Hartinger's avatar

Thank you, Wilma! And thanks to you too.

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Janet Gillespie's avatar

Beautiful article and photos. Thanks for continuing to inspire us!

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Michael Jensen's avatar

Thanks for reading!

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Tony Scelzo's avatar

Happy Pride! It’s disappointing to see the hate and prejudice rising throughout the world, but your article reminds us that even as it rises, we find ways to not only survive, but thrive. And so, we shall this time as well. It may be at a different place, and among different people, but we’ll find our people and make it through. Right now, you’ve persuaded us that Mexico just might be that place, though we’re leaning more towards Merida than SMA. Thanks for continuing to motivate, offering hope, and reminding us there’s always a place and a path forward.

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Michael Jensen's avatar

Thanks for reading, Tony. And I’ve heard good things about Merida. But would love to hear your thoughts on it as well.

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