Pride

Pride

Happy Pride Day!  I don’t think there’s any need to specify what pride, unless you live under a rock….
This day means so much to so many, not only LGBTQ, but those around them. Specifically, their families.
Having had a brother who was gay, maybe I’m more accepting of it. Or maybe it’s just that unconditional love thing.
I have two daughters. They both identify as bi. And that’s ok. I am familiar with this world. I have spent time with the gay community, both at Cherry Grove and in The City. I found out from my brother, (And God how I miss him lately) in the early 80’s (though we all kind of knew) that he was gay. I will never, never forget the night he told me. My reaction was…no reaction. Because it mattered not a damn to me who he loved or how he loved. That moment when he said “that’s my boyfriend” did not change who he always was.
My reaction to my daughters was pretty much the same. I care not who or how they love. I ask only that they be happy. I never once thought, what did I do wrong? How did they end up “this way”, as I’ve no doubt my father did for a long time, years ago before he accepted my brother’s lifestyle.  Oh, he never turned away from Warren, never shut him out, he just never understood. My mother, on the other hand, reveled in it. After dad passed, and even after Warren passed, she spent many holidays with my brothers friends. And that was ok too. She was accepted there, as Mel’s mom. She was comfortable there.

As for my girls, they are both in long term relationships at this point in their lives. I hope they are happy, I think they are. They have both done amazing things. Stacie served 11 years in the Navy. She has fought many battles, physical and mental and has won so far. She has 4 beautiful kids who I love dearly. She has come farther than she knows and had filled me with pride she doesn’t even realize.

Katie is starting out on an amazing career, following in my brother’s footsteps, at home in the kitchen. She too has fought emotional battles, still is, somewhat, but she’s winning.

They are both amazing young ladies. The fact that they identify as bi has no effect on their achievements. They are not pedophiles. They are not mutants. They are not deviants. Nor does it have any effect on my love for them or my pride in them. They. Are. My. Daughters.  THAT’S how I identify THEM. When I found out, my strict Catholic upbringing did not, nor will it ever, enter into what I feel for them.  I understand that this was not a choice. The only choice involved is whether you choose to accept who you are, or to fight it because society, your religion, your parents say it’s wrong. I just don’t understand how anyone can decide that you’re wrong to be who you are.  Judge not…people in glass houses….so many clichés. The point is, your sexual preference does not define you. It is not who you are. And I hate, I HATE when people think it is. I don’t understand sometimes how in 2016, there is so much hate over something that is a non issue. I hate that my girls could be considered targets for who they are. For who they fucking are. No one has the right to be judge and jury when it comes to this. I have always encouraged my girls to be themselves, to not conform, to do the best they can, to fight for what or who they believe in. I want to hope, dare I hope that I’ve succeeded in helping them to be more accepting?

Take pride in who you are, no matter what or who or how you love. BE who you are. We all have that right, because we are all human. We all bleed red, we all hurt sometimes and mostly, we all deserve to live without fear of expressing ourselves. It’s a basic human right. Celebrate who you are, what you are, celebrate life!

Lady Gaga ~ Born This Way

It doesn't matter if you love him or capital H-I-M
Just put your paws up
'Cause you were born this way, baby

My mama told me when I was young
We are all born superstars
She rolled my hair and put my lipstick on
In the glass of her boudoir

There's nothin' wrong with lovin' who you are
She said, 'cause He made you perfect, babe
So hold your head up,
girl and you'll go far
Listen to me when I say

I'm beautiful in my way
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

Don't hide yourself in regret
Just love yourself and you're set
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way, born this way

Ooh, there ain't no other way, baby, I was born this way
Baby, I was born this way
Ooh, there ain't no other way, baby, I was born this way
I'm on the right track, baby, I was born this way

Don't be a drag, just be a queen
Don't be a drag, just be a queen
Don't be a drag, just be a queen
Don't be

Give yourself prudence and love your friends
Subway kid, rejoice of truth
In the religion of the insecure
I must be myself, respect my youth

A different lover is not a sin
Believe capital H-I-M
I love my life, I love this record and
Mi amore vole fe yah

I'm beautiful in my way,
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

Don't hide yourself in regret,
Just love yourself and you're set
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

Ooh, there ain't no other way, baby, I was born this way
Baby, I was born this way
Ooh, there ain't no other way, baby, I was born this way
I'm on the right track, baby, I was born this way

Don't be drag, just be a queen
Whether you're broke or evergreen
You're black, white, beige, chola descent
You're Lebanese, you're orient

Whether life's disabilities
Left you outcast, bullied or teased
Rejoice and love yourself today
'Cause baby, you were born this way

No matter gay, straight or bi
Lesbian, transgendered life
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born to survive

No matter black, white or beige
Chola or orient made
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born to be brave

I'm beautiful in my way
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

Don't hide yourself in regret,
Just love yourself and you're set
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way, yeah

Ooh, there ain't no other way, baby, I was born this way
Baby, I was born this way
Ooh, there ain't no other way, baby, I was born this way
I'm on the right track, baby, I was born this way
I was born this way, hey
I was born this way, hey
I'm on the right track, baby, I was born this way, hey

I was born this way, hey
I was born this way, hey
I'm on the right track, baby, I was born this way, hey