Still Valid With or Without a Parade

“I’ve been thinking a lot about 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄. What does it mean for those who can only celebrate their truest selves by secretly attending a festival once a year?

My first Pride was with my mom, grandmothers (Sol & Margie), and all of their old school butch dyke homegirls. They always had a booth to sell Puerto Rican food and blast loud salsa music. I never questioned or noticed anything different about their relationships. It was just summer and people celebrating life. Everyone I knew was there. I was 6 years old and it’s still one of the most vivid memories I have. I remember lots of colors and genuine community love. If nothing else I learned early to celebrate life, love, and community in full vibrant color.

I often talk about my experiences as a “pride baby”, remembering parades since before I could tie my own shoes. But by the time I moved to Colorado I learned this wasn’t the case for everyone. So many of my queer friends attended their first pridefest our freshman year of college and have been their unapologetically proud selves ever since! This year with most large events being cancelled, I worry about the message to LGBT folks who won’t get their experience. I decided to create an image to remind us that no event, corporate or otherwise, will ever validate the beauty and pride of who we truly are. No Parade, Same Pride.”