Pride Festival Reminds Writer of His Own Evolution

The Augusta Pride festival is this weekend and I’m proud to say, pun intended, that I will be the on-stage emcee for Friday night’s “Beats on Broad” festivities for the fifth year. I really enjoy being a part of these festivities. The whole weekend is a celebration of love and tolerance.

My younger self might not have felt the same way.

The younger me would have been intolerant, more judgmental, and would have been terrified to be hosting such an event, lest someone think I’m gay. It’s tough to put this in print because I’m not proud of it. I lived in a certain era and area and my environment didn’t exactly encourage a lot of acceptance.

Then, thankfully, I grew up.

I moved around a lot in my 20s and met a lot of different people with different lifestyles. It didn’t take long to realize that the people I grew up judging and, yes, making callous jokes about, are just like me. They want to live a happy, fulfilling life and they want to fall in love. Over time, I learned that who they love, much like my straight friends, has absolutely nothing to do with me.

As I got over my narrow-minded ways and paid more attention to friends with different lifestyles, I noticed something significant. Almost all of them had to fight for their relationship - and I mean truly fight.

Imagine your life with a significant other - meeting them, courting them, dating, falling in love and feeling like you can’t live without that person. Now imagine that every time you go out you get stared at, or get a disgusted, judging look thrown your way. Now, amplify those looks with someone inserting themselves into your night and telling you why you shouldn’t love the person you love. Imagine one of those conversations getting heated, maybe even to the point of violence.

Imagine that.

I have friends who have experienced all of these things - and more. Some have been refused service at their favorite establishment. Some have been disowned by their friends, their family - even their parents. Some have lost jobs. Some have lost lives.

All of that is added to whatever trials and tribulations that any relationship might have. If a couple is willing to battle all of that and get through arguments over dinner and whose turn it is to take the trash out, then I am truly impressed. Far be it for me, or anyone, to try to tell that couple they shouldn’t love each other.

I recall the first time I DJed a wedding for a gay couple. There was something about the way they looked at each other during their first dance. It was almost as though I could sense those fights and that journey they endured together. This moment, this dance, was the celebration of making it through all of that. Now they would get to spend their lives proving that it was all worth it.

That wedding was years ago. That couple still thriving. It’s still the most beautiful first dance I’ve ever experienced.

This weekend is for those couples and those fights. It’s a weekend that they don’t have to endure the stares and unwelcome soapbox sermons. It’s a weekend to celebrate love and acceptance. It’s a weekend to be proud.

Unless you’re a Gator fan. That, I just flat out can’t tolerate.