Lets Celebrate with Pride, Our Community

 

Let’s celebrate with Pride, our community

A community is defined as people living in a particular place or those that share the same values or interests, social group, or nationality.

The statement let’s celebrate with Pride, our community is more of a pun that expresses at its heart - that all within our community, including those with LGBTQ+ orientation, should be celebrated.

 

June is Pride month. What is Pride?

Gay pride or LGBTQ+ pride is the promotion of the self-affirmation, dignity, equality, and increased visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ+) people as a social group. Pride, as opposed to shame and social stigma, is the predominant outlook that bolsters most LGBTQ+ rights movements.

 

What is LGBTQ+?

LGBTQ+ is an acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning. These terms are used to describe a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Definition from Gay Centre.

 

Gender identity

How do you know what your gender is and with which gender you associate? The Proud trust outlines gender identity and also describes various gender pronouns.  

It is really important for us to clearly understand all members of our community and this includes our LGBTQ+ community. The reason for this is that since the 1970’s and way before our communities have not clearly understood all aspects of our human nature. In understanding our gender identity, we then begin to understand ourselves, where we fit within our community and also to which gender identity group we belong. Understanding this is key to our mental health as it gives us a strong feeling of belonging and being understood.

These aspects of human nature have not completely been understood in the past; they were pushed under the carpet because of fear due to lack of awareness. But now we have more awareness about human gender identity we can celebrate all aspects of ourselves with pride.

Recently I read a post on LinkedIn written about a solicitor who is part of the LGBTQ+ community, Christopher Boccuzzo (2022) describes himself:

‘I'm a cisgender gay male who identifies as polyamorous, demisexual, and a bit of a pogonophile.’

This for many might be like a new language of pronouns and some we are learning but it is all part of our human progression in understanding humanity and ourselves. We are evolving.

By being ourselves, we can only gain an authentic understanding from others which adds to the richness of our lives. And those that are confused, or unaware or, ignorant, or prejudice don’t really matter because by moving forward with our strengths and what makes us unique is, what will lead ultimately to our success, happiness and wellbeing.

Christopher has not had life easy; he has said he suffers from social anxiety and imposter syndrome. He has shown his complete true self to the world on social media. By being a role model for others he is showing to all of us it doesn’t matter who you are and what vulnerabilities you have, you can still be a successful person and celebrate yourself with pride.

By being your authentic self, you can truly be who you are meant to be, irrespective of gender identity, mental health or even any challenges you might face. This is inspiring and refreshing compared to our past narrative in society where only the best of the best, or certain people succeed.  The intrinsic value of our LGBTQ+ community comes in the way they celebrate themselves with pride; it is immeasurable to all of us. It sets a new positive perspective and a new narrative to progress into the 21^st century.

Long ago in ancient times the LGBTQ+ community in India were considered as being closest to God. They were considered as divine beings who must be included in every child’s first journey into the world. In fact, till today the LGBTQ+ community are invited to all birth ceremonies to give their blessings to a child.  Certain cultures are more inclusive than others. The Indian deity Lord Shiva is considered to be a combination of all gender identities and is often pictured in this way, s/he is considered as the Creator of the Universe.

Quite often prayer is directed towards a figure in religion or a deity, traditionally this figure has either been male or female but now spiritual art is catching up with our progression as a human race and combining different aspects of gender identity so that collective worship can occur with Pride in mind.

The psychic world, some of whom are spiritual mediums, clairvoyants, psychics and also astrologers could be compared to those in the LGBTQ+ community, we are not yet completely understood. We do offer a unique perspective which allows hope and insight into the world of others. One day when we are better understood by science, we will be celebrated with Pride too.