As Americans, we enjoy five basic freedoms: freedom of religion, assembly, speech, petition and press.
But what’s more, equality in the U.S. is just as important as basic liberties. No one wants to be considered an outcast for being, thinking or behaving differently from the norm.
Even though we’re in the land of freedom and opportunity, we Americans are also human. And as humans, we tend to stereotype and judge those who do not look, behave or think like we do.
For years, people have fought and protested against discrimination, from racial bias to gender discrimination to treating someone unfairly based on sexual orientation.
Recently sexual orientation, in particular homosexuality, has been the focus of some individuals and groups who disagree with the lifestyle.
According to ReligiousTolerance.org, some religious conservatives believe homosexuality should be criminalized, or that it is indicative of a mental illness and despised by God.
Some religious conservatives also believe that homosexuality is the destroyer of the traditional family and the sanctity of marriage.
What this argument ignores, however, is the fact that heterosexual couples have a higher divorce and separation rate than homosexual couples.
According to the US Census Bureau, in 2004, Texas had the ninth-highest rate of divorce averaging four per 1,000 marriages, at that time approximately 51 percent higher than the national average.
In fact, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services Web site, approximately 81,324 divorces were reported to the Texas Vital Statistics Unit in 2004 alone.
Despite the facts, religious conservatives still believe homosexuality is destroying marriage and the traditional family.
However, despite the constant prejudice, misunderstanding and discrimination of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
That light is Gay Pride.
Gay Pride is not just about being gay. It is about celebrating one’s true self-identity, regardless of sexual orientation.
It is about equality. LGBT individuals and couples exist in the community the same way as heterosexual individuals and couples do.
It is about recognizing every LGBT person as another human being, someone’s relative or friend, church member, or others.
Much like the Civil Rights era and women’s suffrage, gay pride is also a movement, a movement that started approximately 37 years ago in June to commemorate the police raid of the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City, and the following riot.
There are several accounts as to how and why the Stonewall Riots began. One account states that the funeral of Judy Garland played a role, because many of the gay citizens of New York were saddened by her death. Another account states race was a factor in the decision to raid the Stonewall Inn, because gay blacks and Hispanics frequented the bar. The fact that the bar was operating without a liquor license was an added bonus to the police.
Regardless of which account is true, one thing remained important to those who lived and fought through those riots. The LGBT community was not going to stand by quietly and suffer the relentless attacks on their community by those who persecute them.
In the years that followed, other American cities such as Atlanta, San Francisco and Chicago as well as international locations such as Toronto, Britain and France began organizing gay pride events of their own.
Houston members of the LGBT community began their pride celebration events in 1979.
According to PrideHouston.org, events for this year’s "Lone Star"-themed pride celebration include wine tasting, parties, concerts and the first Houston Pride Idol competition.
Throughout the past 28 years, Pride Houston has become the largest LGBT event in the Southwest, with approximately 150,000 attendees expected.
Even though gay pride encompasses a variety of ideals, opponents of homosexuality and gay rights still protest against everything associated with pride, or even homosexuality.
Regardless of the opposition, organizations such as Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, Gay/Straight Alliance and Lambda Agenda will continue to build a bond, make people aware and add to the hope of a peaceful existence for all.
Latimer, a creative writing post-baccalaureate, can be reached via [email protected]
