Proud…Only a Month?

by Jane Stahl and Ross (Yergz) Yerger

The month of June has been designated “Pride Month” in recent years. Typically, there are those who object to celebrating what some individuals find, let’s say, an unacceptable lifestyle choice.

First: I don't think there’s a choice involved. Further, I don’t think folks can be “taught” or influenced in these ways (or surgically altered at school). Folks are “beautifully made”—just as they are. And, for believers, God knows you—and loves you--even before you were born. And so, it makes no sense to me to try to change them, exclude them, hate them—even gun them down.

And so, I just don’t get it. The objection, that is. I’m a “different strokes for different folks” kinda gal. I take a “mind your own beeswax” approach. I like the meme that suggests if you object to gay marriage, don’t accept the proposal. I’ve never wanted to insert myself into another’s bedroom or behind the door of a locker room or public toilet.

I’ve always figured that judging others when they didn’t seem to be hurting anyone was above my pay grade. Judging is God’s job, not mine. My job is to bother about the log in my own eye—not the stone in another’s, to love my neighbor as I love myself, and to acknowledge that I didn’t create the Universe—or its “rules.” I know to stay in my own lane and thank Whoever is in charge for the opportunities to serve in ways I’ve been blessed.

However, I do object, I do judge when folks make life difficult for others. And so, when my friend Ross (Yergz) Yerger reflected on Pride Month and what it meant for him as a gay man—why the month, a whole month, should exist, I wanted to give him the space to share his thoughts and also insist that Pride (“not the sinful kind”) should exist…for all of us…July through May, as well.  ~Jane

And so, from Ross (Yergz) Yerger:

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As a budding journalist in my retirement years, I’ve seen my share of Facebook posts objecting to June being Pride Month.

“Give our veterans a month, first!”
”What are they proud of?”
”Pride is every day!”

…. The most usual response, and I’ve happily used it, too, is, “Vicious comments and attitudes towards our [gay] Community are the very reason why we have a Pride celebration in the first place,” or some rendition, thereof….

As a gay man for 53.5 years, I can tell you that’s a great way to live one’s life, and believe me when I tell you that I do have Pride every day (and not the sinful kind).

However, when it comes to remembering sacrifices of assassinated community leaders like Harvey Milk only to turn and see this fascist-[leaning] government remove honors bestowed upon him--like a naval vessel in his name, for example--we need a set date, such as the month of June, to not only fight homophobia, but also complacency….

The Pride we feel is from knowing that the fights we fought, win or lose, helped us to maintain healthcare that others take for granted. It helps us to feel secure when other people are complacent. It helps us to have families of our own, though maybe not “traditional,” without fear of that family being disintegrated….

Pride is more than a celebration of being gay. In fact, one’s sexuality really has nothing to do with it. It’s the perseverance [editor’s italics] from the discrimination, like the hatred we see stoked by this administration, that has caused various demographics from one larger community to come together, stay strong, and fight fascism, discrimination, and various phobias.

It’s because our struggles, victories and losses, allow us to feel somewhat “normal” …. Because of numerous events…. one single day of celebration doesn’t suffice. [editor’s italics]

We have one day for Memorial Day because we all do the same thing while hopefully also remembering our veterans - BBQ vacations / picnics of some sort.

We have one day for the 4th of July, for the same reason….

Valentine’s Day.
Mother’s Day.
Father’s Day.

Even holy days like Easter & Christmas, all need one day due to the singularity of the celebrations….

Groceries.
The price of gas.
Interest rates.
The overall economy.
The starting of wars that this administration promised wouldn’t happen.

We worry about those things, too.

Now I also worry about being pulled over, or hearing a knock at my door, or someone in my house in the middle of the night, because, while The Bill of Rights is now gone for most of us, it’s [already] been gone for many of us.

I’ve been investigated three times during my Secret Service career. I was able to prove that the purpose of each of the three investigations was simply because of the fact that I’m gay. None of those investigations were legal. Two of them came…because [those] bosses [under the Trump 1.0 administration] felt safe in breaking the law, violating my rights and protections as a federal employee, and in turn, employee by employee, weakening a nation.

My Pride is about the fact that for more than 21 years, I did my part. That I conquered the everyday struggles of every other American adult, plus a few extras, continued my job of protecting and defending the U.S. Constitution, from all enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC, so that some straight people could keep the Right to [object] to … 30 days of rainbow colors….

And [just for the record and for those objectors who may not know] May, a month with one more day than June, is “Military Appreciation Month.”

…. Happy Pride to those who celebrate. And may those who hate, have a most-uncomfortable June and not have to face the threats of violence that we face.

To find Ross’s entire reflection and support his work on Mastiff Media
https://substack.com/@mastiffmedia/note/p-165495808?utm_source=notes-sh…

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