Every person whose life has been taken through hate crimes or suicide must be remembered. It’s a time of remembrance for those who have been victims of hate. However, Pride isn’t only about having fun. It was truly one of the greatest days of my life. I was truly overwhelmed with the amount of love I felt from the community and how liberated I felt to be in a space where it didn’t matter who I liked or who I was. As the bisexual flags came into view and people cheered, I saw an older woman holding up a sign that said, “no fear in being queer.” I started to cry. I didn’t think I would get emotional whatsoever because I had been around LGBTQ+ people for most of my life, but then it hit me. I was decked out in purple, blue and pink (the colors of the bi flag) and so ready to have fun. I had been dying to go for years, and I was finally able to convince my parents to let me go.
My first ever Pride Parade was in Miami Beach in 2017. But there’s something about being surrounded by rainbow flags and seeing people smiling and drag queens strutting down the street that screams acceptance. Whether it’s because I’m too nervous to correct a stranger on my pronouns or because of feelings of dysphoria, being confident in who I am every single day is tough. As a queer non-binary person, I find it difficult to be unapologetically myself. Whether you’re gay, bi, lesbian, trans, ace or any other part of the queer spectrum, Pride Month celebrates our differences and the uniqueness within all of us. A time to be yourself without a care in the world. Pride, at its core, is a month of no apologies. This piece has been submitted to FIU News by a contributor who wishes to remain anonymous.
As part of an op-ed series, FIU News shares the expertise and diverse perspectives of members of the university community.