One 'gay' at a time

Of course we really mean, "One LGBT and allied person" at a time. But it's just not snappy sounding.
The LGBT community is diverse and vibrant, and no single word could ever suffice to describe it. And no single person can define it, either.
Which is why we celebrate building community, one gay at a time in our annual Pride issue. While covering the LGBT community, through the bad news and the good, one thing that never ceases to amaze us are the many LGBT and allied people living their lives with integrity and passion. We share some of their stories with you in this issue and will continue through June to put the spotlight on folks who are inspiring simply by the way they live and who they are. They are, you could say, living out loud.
Pride is a season of parties, fun and lots and lots of rainbows. But it's much more than that. When clueless folks say, "Hey, why do you guys need a parade? Straight people don't celebrate straight pride," you just might want to choke them with a rainbow feather boa for not recognizing that every day is straight pride day – whether the straight people seem to be having any fun or not.
When LGBT folks celebrate Pride, it isn't about flaunting our sexuality. It's about saying that we are not ashamed of who we are and who we love. Sure, some people choose to express this while wearing leather chaps or decked out like "Gypsies Tramps and Thieves" era Cher. While this may be all the right-wing focuses on, we know there is more to the community than glam and camp.
What you'll also see at Pride are families with kids who they are raising in the face of adversity. You'll see LGBT elders and youth. You'll see same-sex couples holding hands. You'll see LGBT entrepreneurs and business people selling their goods. You'll see volunteers for the political and community organizations that work so hard on everyone's behalf.
Pride engenders a real feeling of coming together. Motor City Pride, for example, is one of the rare times you can look around you and see tens of thousands of other LGBT folks and allies. Much of the time it feels we are surrounded by adversity and detractors. Pride season is a chance to unwind and celebrate our lives.
As for straight pride, until the shame and stigma and the myths and lies about heterosexuality match those perpetuated about the LGBT community, we won't be seeing straight pride parades any time soon. But honey, with the way things are going politically, just give the Bush administration some time.
Have fun, be safe, and be active and aware politically throughout Pride season and beyond. Don't forget that freedom isn't free and the community needs every single LGBT and allied person standing tall and proud. The fight for equality is long, it is difficult, but victory is inevitable.