For many of American’s and individuals across the world, Pride is a special time to celebrate their own individuality and sexual preferences, to remind them that persecution and drive for equality was a journey not easily achieved. That statement is something I hold dear. So many people are persecuted every day over their religious, sexual, and political ideologies even to the extent over the color of their skin. One’s own preferences should have no bearing on anyone else unless one forces those ideologies upon another. The color of our skin should never be a factor for violence or discrimination. Sadly that isn’t the case, in fact I’ve seen great strides by individuals who share in the same common goal, broken by other such ideologies that separate them. Our 16th President said “a nation divided against itself can not stand” and this holds true today as we battle a war against each other’s values and lives, all of which does not impact our own.
I see Pride quite differently. As an intersex individual I have found much animosity, hypocrisy and false tendencies against me and my condition by the very coalition that fights for equality and compassion for people like me. So I celebrate pride differently. For me it’s not my sexual preferences that I am proud of; because every single human on this planet has their own so that doesn’t stick out as an accomplishment. Instead I am proud of myself and my own accomplishments and those accomplishments define my reason for celebrating PRIDE. You won’t see me at parades, flying flags or anything like that. Instead you will see me being a friend, a consoler, a strategist and a supporter for the individual people that face this persecution I face.
I am proud that I over came years of conditioning, lying to my own face of who I am, taking hormones to deform my body to please others – permanently injuring my health. I am proud that I can be a voice for my condition and talk the truth about it as opposed to the corrupted definitions placed upon it by others for self gain. I am proud that I want to be that bridge that mends the friction between the left and right, Christian and non-Christians, and be an advocate for peace among individuals.
I can be that person despite not agreeing with a narrative or ideologies from others; even as they disagree with mine.
So I say to those individuals who PRIDE actually involves that I am proud of you for standing up to hate, being YOU and letting those stars in your eyes shine; staying true to yourself and showing the world that you are an individual that feels emotions and wants to be loved like anyone else – regardless YOUR reason for celebrating this month.
– With all my love EMMA LYNN DOWD
