Happy PRIDE!

Where do I begin? As you all know, I moved out to Seattle and moved in with my sister and her partner, Carley. Since day one, my sister, Megan has always been willing and able to answer any questions I have had, and believe me I have 20 questioned her over and over. Last weekend I had an experience that was truly eye-opening. Coming from “Wayzata”, you really didn’t see too many gays, or too many different cultures or nationalities. Most people in Wayzata are so “in the box!” So, I have struggled over the years to understand how my sister was who she was and how one “becomes” gay. (Megan – Please don’t be mad at me for writing this!) After moving to Seattle, my whole life changed. Yes, for the obvious reasons, but also for many more. I moved to a city where people are “different” or what I thought was “different”.
Prior to moving here, I was around Megan and Carley, but didn’t really know of any other “gay” couples. Since moving here, I have had the opportunity to meet some amazing people and also some super amazing “GAY COUPLES”!
I haven’t always understood and even when I did, I would not have thought about protested for gay rights. (Like many of you reading this) But, I thought after my eye-awakening experience I would share a few thoughts I have with you.
GAY PEOPLE:
They are just like you and I. They have faults and strengths in their personal life and in their relationships. They have morals and values. They are trust worthy, friendly, intelligent, caring, respectful people that deserve the same equality as us. Rosie O’Donnell is not the only Lesbian mother in the world. There are “gay” people raising children everywhere! They are probably better parents than most of us! They teach their children morals, and what is most important in the world. They don’t judge you, so why judge them?
This weekend was PRIDE. As we pulled up, I saw all the drag queens! I do have to admit, that this was “eye candy” and was something to observe and talk about. Oh my god! His/Her ass is hanging out, and blah, blah, blah! Oh god, I am a little nervous!
And then there it was, one of the most amazing parades, a production, which will not be forgotten. I am used to candy and fire trucks, and here it was….People throwing glitter instead of candy, and people getting beads, which was exactly what everyone wanted. A cheer for the rights, an enormous cheer for political parties, churches, families and friends! I do not know the exact count, but it felt like there was tens of thousands of people there! The biggest parade I have ever been to.
It really made me think! My sister and her friends that I have met over the past few months, are NOT THE ONLY GAY PEOPLE OUT THERE! (Not saying that is what I believed) But I was amazed as to how many people were there.
I have come to the conclusion of why?

It is no longer a question of why are you “gay”, but rather a question of “ why do WE care and why can’t they have the same rights as you and I?” Why does society care if someone is gay? I especially felt this as I walked about a mile to my car. I had my beads on and for the first time, people were looking at me, and I felt “different”. They couldn’t see my tiny button that said “honorary”, but I almost wanting to take it off, and punch them or preach to them. I was suddenly walking down the street, and being treated differently by people, and realized this is what my sister goes through. NOT FAIR!
More lessons learned from pride:
A. This is a day that they can do whatever they want, and won’t be judged.
B. At the end of the day, does this person dressed as women affect my life? ( it ending up they did, but really think about it!)
C. They deserve this day, and every other day to be treated as equals, because they are just like you and I.
I had a man walk into the office this morning that was obviously “gay”. He had the hand jesters, the voice, ect. Today, my attitude changed though. I again have to admit, that I would have probably thought, “COULD YOU GET ANYMORE GAY” and also “WHY DO HAVE TO DO THE VOICE AND THE HAND MOVEMENTS?” Today though, I thought of this past weekend and realized I don’t care! He is still a good person and it doesn’t matter if he is different than me! Again, at the end of the day, his lifestyle doesn’t affect my life. Although, to a certain degree it did….And it made me feel better that I can finally after many years of wandering about how and why, understand, accept and love!

I hope that all of you can open up, meet some “gay” people and realize all of the lessons I have learned. I also hope that in voting, you remember me, my sister, and all of her amazing friends, and vote for someone that has gay rights in mind. They do deserve it. The fact that after 9 years of being together, my sister would run into problems seeing her partner in an emergency room is ridiculous! Let’s try to all be equal!
If you want to learn more about Pride and the history of how it came started:
http://lesbianlife.about.com/od/lesbiansinhistory/a/Stonewall.htm
http://gaylife.about.com/cs/4/a/gaypridedates.htm
or just google Gay Pride History! It is actually very interesting!

P.S. I am still straight! 

On a different note – I will be home on Tuesday for a week. I hope to see everyone and hope all will join in the festivities of Rodeo!

Below are some pics from Pride weekend!