PLATFORM : Reasons for Pride

When the gay and lesbian community proclaims its pride, it is an attempt to balance out the palpable atmosphere of hate and exclusion we live in. It is finding self-esteem and affirming as a community that we have a right to feel good about being lesbian or gay--about being ourselves. It is a celebration of life.

And it goes beyond that. The lesbian and gay community is stronger and more unified than it has ever been. Over the past decade, we have seen our brothers, sisters and loved ones die of a modern-day plague. In response, we have created some of the strongest community organizations in U.S. history to provide services our government wouldn’t. We have learned not only to survive in the age of AIDS, but to thrive as well.

For these and other reasons, the gay and lesbian community celebrates its pride in the month of June, culminating in this weekend’s pride festivals. We are increasingly aware that, with pride, we can fight society’s discrimination and intolerance.