I keep this picture on my blog.
I keep it there for a reason.
It is a reminder to me that I am privileged!!

I have never been bullied because of the colour of my skin.
I have never been bullied for being queer.
I have never been told I am going to hell for just loving someone.
I have never been afraid to show my affection to my partner in public for fear of being beaten up or arrested.
I have never had to fight for the right to even marry my partner.
I have never had to fight for the same rights as a straight married couple.
I don’t live in a country where I could still be arrested or even executed for being gay.
I have never had the fear of being sent to conversion therapy to ‘be cured’

I am straight. I am white. I grew up in a straight white family.
I AM PRIVILEGED!

So when I see articles cropping up this week, about a group in Boston, Massachusetts trying to organise a ‘Straight Pride’ Parade, I get pretty bloody angry!
Do they understand just why gay pride exists?
Do they realise just how privileged they are to not need a pride parade?Have they done their homework?

The fact that this year is also one of the biggest landmarks in the LGBTQ community, just makes the thought of a straight pride parade all the more nauseating.

It has been 50 years since the Stonewall riots in New York.
50 years since white, black and Hispanic gays, lesbians and transgendered people decided that enough was enough and fought back.
It has become the most important event of the gay liberation movement and is celebrated with gay pride parades around the world every year.

So forgive me if I get angry that some ‘privileged’ white men with links to far-right movements, nationalist protests and white supremacist organisations, feel like they’ve had their toes stepped on.

These people are filled with anger and hate.
The religious communities who won’t let their children be taught about all forms of relationships and genders are filled with anger and hate and are just teaching their children to fear what they don’t understand.

When I look at photos from gay pride parades around the world, and photos of queer couples and their families, you know what I see?
I see love.
I see happiness.
I see people wanting to live without fear.
I see people wanting exactly what straight people have and to be treated equally.

Look at the history of the parades, even if you only go to the Stonewall Riots wikipedia page to see how it all started. Educate yourselves before you decide to hate on people who only want to live and love.

HAPPY PRIDE MONTH!