10 Quotes To Celebrate Pride Month
Words from Harvey Milk, Alice Walker, Bayard Rustin and more
I celebrate Pride a bit differently these days. Instead of booze, I drink sparkling water. Instead of sweating in a packed nightclub at 3am, I plant roses in my garden and whisper blessings to their bouncer thorns. Instead of rainbow suspenders, I sprint to the end of my driveway to watch a real live rainbow bend down through the clouds to kiss the meadow with her multicolored lips. Instead of listening to Cindy Lauper belt her greatest hits, I call my partner to the back porch to give the blushing sunset a standing ovation.
But that’s not to say my heart isn’t a packed parade. I’m never without my people. I’m an open book, and queer community is my spine. There isn’t a day of the year that I don’t celebrate who we are. Who we are has changed my lens on the entire world. What more than queerness has taught me to look more closely at everything? What more than queerness has taught me to look more closely at myself?
Years ago, in a poem about my first love, I wrote, “As soon as you loved me all my callous went away, my hands so soft it hurt to pray.” Coming out was, for me, a process of softening. Of opening. Of letting my guard all the way down. Of saying yes to myself. Saying I do I do I do want to open my heart to this life. I came out to let the beauty in. To let life in. Now I’m a flood of gratitude, made of the kind of love that breaks hate’s dam.
Fifteen years ago I wrote, “All they know of hate is that it couldn’t beat the love out of me.” I was thinking about that this morning while reading the words of some of my favorite queer artists and activists. As we approach the end of Pride month I wanted to share a few of their beautiful lines. I hope your spirit is as uplifted as mine is when reading them. Whether you’re queer or not, I imagine you’ll find the light in each sentiment undeniable.
“I think that what we actually need... is a little more dirt on the seat of our pants as we sit on the front stoop and talk to our neighbors once again. -Harvey Milk
“We need in every bay and community a group of angelic troublemakers.”― Bayard Rustin
“The moment of change is the only poem.” - Adrienne Rich
“I begin with love, hoping to end there.” - Jericho Brown
“Nobody promised you tomorrow.” — Marsha P. Johnson
“You must not ever stop being whimsical. And you must not, ever, give anyone else the responsibility for your life.” -Mary Oliver
“So please, for the love of gender- go bloom. Or water someone else while they do.” ― S. Bear Bergman
To love someone is firstly to confess: I'm prepared to be devastated by you.” ― Billy-Ray Belcourt
“I’m thinking of the night that all the lights went out. And how I learned to see in the dark.” -Chris Pureka
The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any.” ― Alice Walker
Don’t give up your power by thinking you don’t have any, friends! We are all learning to see in the dark as we go. As Jericho says, let us begin with love, and end there.
Happy Pride, Queer Andrea 🖤
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📣 Add to the conversation: How do you enjoy celebrating Pride? Do you have any quotes to help us celebrate Pride Month? Share your thoughts in the comments
Such beautiful quotes from brilliant minds – thank you for sharing 🥹 I also enjoyed reading about the wonderful alternative (or additional) ways in which one can celebrate pride month 😌🌈✨