Gay Pride Festival in Centennial Park

Re: “Gay Fete’s Organizer a Target for Foes” (Aug. 28):

I read the article which reintroduced Janet Avery and briefly details her efforts to realize the goal of a pride festival.

I’ve been reading about the planned festival and as I’ve read on I have felt a certain brand of hopelessness; that in Orange County no matter how much gay men and women push, plead, protest, picket and demand to exercise our rights as a body politic our civil rights continue to be disregarded and manipulated by these fundamental conservatives (bordering on old-time fascism), skulking around under the rusty banner of a Judeo-Christian ethic.

Lots of gay men and women out here are far too apathetic about politics in general, and especially so when the issues concern recognition of their intrinsic identities and the expression of liberties related to those identities. This sort of apathy is dangerous and could be the worst thing for us as citizens in a free society. Pride begets freedom.

After reading the article I felt renewed in spirit knowing that Janet Avery’s strength is out there fighting for my rights.

I will come to the festival. I will be in that park with the rest of my brothers and sisters exercising our rights, come what may, supporting our right to assemble peaceably, becoming a part of what will be a historical celebration of diversity, pride and compassion.

Each step that takes me into that park will be for myself, my friends in denial, my friends who would be here but are now gone due to the virus, and lastly for those people that oppose our individuality, for those who deny our diversity, and would like to see us falter and collapse, to see us somehow wither away from this world.

My presence will be my affirmation. My love will be my strength, my pride will squelch all fear.

ANTHONY RAMIREZ

Santa Ana