performative allyship
pRiDe dOeSn’t eNd! unfortunately, it does. yes, queer people are here to stay. yes, there are still resources available for the LGBTQ+ community. but, once June ended, so did the acknowledgement of the community. pride flags and rainbow merchandise took storm the moment June started, and left just as quick. visibility promotes discussion and makes all the difference – so why must explicit support for an underserved and vulnerable community end? because it is a superficial display of support. it is a business effort to avoid criticism. while corporations litter their windows and shelves with cheap (and might i add Ugly) pride merchandise left and right, many at the same time support anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and policy. in the same hand they hang a progressive pride flag, they do little to nothing to protect the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination. catering to customers is valued more than human rights.
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no pride for me
the One month out of this whole year that I was not on campus was June, meaning i missed pride month in boston. i missed parades, marches, and a chance to celebrate a part of myself that is hated by a good amount of people in my hometown, including my family. i missed getting to meet other queer people of color at such events. i missed celebrations of our community’s history and bouts of nonconformity. i missed finally not just being a diversity token and instead. instead i got asked
“do you have a boyfriend yet?”
“you’re not part of that uh L G B .. T whatever right?”
instead i reside in spaces i still feel confined in.
instead i pretend my girlfriend is just my friend.
instead i let go of her hand out of fear when walking in public.
i want to be proud. but, i also want to be safe.
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yeah <3
i feel very grateful to live in place where i do have protections, that i go to a school in an area that is largely supportive and accepting. however, this isn’t the reality for so many. i’m Lucky. and yet, it doesn’t invalidate how i feel. not feeling seen as equal as another human being will always hurt. and like yeah,, pride month should be every month. but the reality of it is that it’s not. someone bring it back. i missed it.
