HAPPY PRIDE!
Sunday, June 13, 2010 6:55PM

What is pride?  

I looked up the definition in multiple dictionaries and couldn't find anything about public intoxication, underwear parties or ecstasy.  Instead I found words like "self-respect," "dignity," and "satisfaction in achievement." 

I mean, most of the people at the first parade were fully clothed.  And that was in 1970, when everyone was running around naked.  But that's because it wasn't a parade, or celebration; it was a march, a political action to draw attention to the inequities of being gay in America.  Gay Liberation.

We may not be getting arrested for flirting anymore, but we certainly can't afford to forget how much ground we still have to gain until equality is a real thing.

That's not to say we haven't achieved much since the first pride march.  In 40 years, we've made a lot of progress:

Same-sex marriage is legal in 5 states and several foreign countries.  Even Laura Bush and Cindy McCain have signed on.

Just last fall, hate crimes were expanded to include sexual orientation.  The law named after Matthew Shepard was the FIRST major federal legislation that PROTECTS our rights.

Over 40 years, we're coming out in greater numbers.  Ellen Degeneres.  Rosie O'Donnell.  Neil Patrick Harris.  Rupert Everett.  Ricky Martin.  George Michael.  Melissa Etheridge.  Elton John.  Lance Bass.  Sir Ian McKellen.  Lily Tomlin.  And so many others.

We're also coming out younger, standing up for ourselves and forging early allies.  The 10 year old who wouldn't say the pledge of allegiance since his gay friends don't have liberty or justice.  The 18 year old who sued to bring her girlfriend to prom and sparked a national conversation.

We're getting elected.  We're slowly changing laws.  We're acting up, devoting time, money, and at times, our personal freedom, to achieve a common goal.

But if there's one event, or one group of people you should think of this month, it's the men and women at the Stonewall Inn the night of June 27, 1969.  After decades of oppression, they stood up, fought the police, and sparked the gay rights movement in six nights of rioting.  Without these courageous veterans, where would our battle for equality be today?

We've still got a lot of work to do until we can truly be satisfied with our achievements.  So this month, whether you're in a speedo or business suit; swigging vodka or water; celebrating sex or chastity; don't forget what pride truly is: a celebration of where we came from, where we have to go, and who we are.

Pride is June 27th in New York.  But I'm gay every day of the year.  And fucking proud of it.