July in Lar da Nai
With the start of July we want to look back to June, pride Month, a time when the LGBTQ+ community and allies come together to celebrate diversity, love, and the strides made towards equality. However, pride is not confined to one month. It is a continuous journey, an ongoing battle, and a daily affirmation of identity and love.
To understand pride's true essence, we must acknowledge that it extends beyond June, permeating every month, every day, every minute, and every second.
The Continuous Coming Out
Coming out is not a singular event but a recurring experience. Every time an LGBTQ+ individual meets new people, starts a new job, moves to a new place, or even engages in routine activities, they face the decision of whether to disclose their identity. This decision is often fraught with anxiety and fear of rejection or misunderstanding.
Imagine starting a new job and debating whether to share that you have a same-sex partner. Or moving to a new neighbourhood and wondering if your new neighbours will accept you. These scenarios are a reality for many LGBTQ+ individuals, highlighting that coming out is not a one-time act but a continuous process.
Everyday Challenges
The daily life of an LGBTQ+ person is often punctuated with subtle and overt challenges.
Hearing jokes or expressions that are commonplace but inherently derogatory towards LGBTQ+ people. Speaking up against such language requires immense courage.
When a tradesperson visits your home and sees indicators of your living situation, such as a single bedroom with one bed, and their expression changes as they piece together your reality.
When handling official or administrative tasks and the assumption is always heterosexual. For instance, being asked for your "wife's" - "husband´s" details during a phone call, or the confusion at hotel receptions when you request a double bed for you and your same-sex partner.
These examples illustrate the constant navigation and negotiation LGBTQ+ individuals must perform to assert their identity and live authentically.
Privilege and Progress
Living in a country where laws provide equal rights is a significant advantage, a privilege that many around the world do not have. However, even in such environments, true equality is still a work in progress. Legal rights are essential, but they do not automatically translate into societal acceptance or eliminate daily prejudices.
For many, coming out is not an option due to the fear of rejection, ostracization, or even violence. In some parts of the world, coming out can lead to imprisonment, torture, or death. These harsh realities underscore the importance of pride and the need for continuous advocacy and awareness.
"Pride" may not encapsulate all the nuances and emotions tied to this celebration and struggle. It is difficult to distill such a complex experience into a single word. Nevertheless, "pride" has become the term we use to describe these days of visibility and celebration.
The Continuous Journey
The fight for equality and acceptance is far from over. While significant strides have been made, the journey continues. Each day brings new challenges and new opportunities to affirm pride and push for a more inclusive world.
Pride is not just about parades and celebrations. It is in the everyday acts of courage and authenticity. It is in the moments when someone corrects a derogatory joke, when they display a rainbow flag in their home, or when they hold hands with their partner in public despite the stares.
For allies, pride is a call to action. It is a reminder to support LGBTQ+ friends, family, and colleagues not just during Pride Month but throughout the year. Allyship means listening, learning, and advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance.
Pride is every month, every day, every minute, and every second. It is a continuous affirmation of identity, love, and the fight for equality. The journey is ongoing, and each step taken by the LGBTQ+ community and its allies brings us closer to a world where everyone can live authentically and without fear.
Understanding and embracing pride in this continuous context is essential. It is about recognizing the daily struggles and triumphs of LGBTQ+ individuals and committing to support and advocate for them at all times. Pride is not confined to June; it is a lifelong journey towards acceptance, equality, and love.
In this journey, every act of visibility, every moment of courage, and every expression of love matters. It is through these continuous acts that we honour the essence of pride and move towards a more inclusive and compassionate world.
From Lar da Nai, we are here to create stories for couples, for all couples