Taking the subway into DC this past Saturday was a more colorful experience than the typical morning commute. Rainbow flags and flamboyant clothing provided stark contrast to the dark and dingy underground transit system. As I neared my destination, DuPont Circle, the train car became tightly packed with excited riders donned in chromatic outfits. One young man opted out of the whole “wearing clothes” thing, instead sporting a bold and bright rainbow painted across his chest. On any other day of the year, this gentleman would have received many puzzled looks and perhaps heard some bigoted comments. But it was not any other day, it was a day of celebration and inclusivity, the 40th Annual Capital Pride Parade.
I’ll remember Saturday, June 13th, as the gayest day of the year in the Nation’s Capital. I’m not using the term gay in the modern sense, but in the old-timey way, meaning “lighthearted” and “carefree.” Both meanings were applicable as thousands flocked to the District for the Pride Parade. Despite the sweltering heat, the mood was distinctly festive. The city radiated positivity, overwhelmed by a sea of smiling faces on people being comfortable with who they are. People of all ages, races, ethnicities and sexualities came together to embrace freedom and acceptance. As the Supreme Court’s decision on same-sex marriage rapidly approaches, this year’s Pride proved to be an important and timely opportunity to show law makers what we are made of. What perfect opportunity to bust out the ass-less chaps, throw on some body glitter, and show your pride for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Like I said, there is no day like Pride. Whether you are gay, straight, somewhere adjacent or in-between, the parade is welcoming, open to anyone and everyone who is willing to share the inclusive environment. Music, cheers and laughter fill the air, making the crowd forget about the heat (an impressive feat). Throngs of people cluster along the parade route in anticipation of the floats and groups proceeding down the street. The diversity of the crowd is matched by the diversity of the different groups marching. There are newlyweds atop a giant cake, drag queens of all shapes and sizes, a motorcycle gang, roller-skaters, radio DJ’s, religious groups, politicians, dancing cowboys and sports teams. There is banner-waving, rump-shaking, hand-holding, reefer-smoking, shoulder-sitting, hand-clapping, water-gunning, bead-throwing and everything else you could possibly expect from a parade like Pride. Regardless of who you are, what you are wearing, what you are doing and who you are doing it with, Pride’s message is the same: It is okay, just be yourself!
Drenched in sweat and exhausted from the day’s festivities, I ventured back underground to catch the subway home. Here I was quickly brought back to reality as anti-terrorism police meandered through the colorful crowd on the packed subway platform. The idea that someone would be filled with enough hate to even think about launching an attack on these kind people makes sick, but it is a grim possibility for which the authorities were prepared.
When I was making the transfer, I was again reminded of the struggle against intolerance that the LGBTQIA+ community faces every day. Waiting for my train, I overheared a man on his phone expressing his dissatisfaction with all the “faggots,” “rainbows,” and “bullshit” that were at the station. I debated whether or not I should try to fight this guy (a fight I would have certainly lost since he was twice my size), when a young boy, his son I assumed, came and latched onto his leg. What bothered me more than this man’s comment was the damaging negativity he was subjecting his child to. That child is being raised in an intolerant environment, getting indoctrinated with blind homophobia by someone who should be his role model. Despite the beautiful celebrations and parades that are occurring throughout the country and all the progress that has been made, intolerance and ignorance are still at epidemic levels. We have come a long way, which is certainly a cause for celebration, but there is still a ways to go.
