Happy Pride!

Today is the start of Pride weekend in San Francisco and for some reason I really have my pride on this year. I think I am getting to an age that I really am appreciating my community and feeling it's importance in my life.

When I was very young I remember watching TV with my Great Grandmother and seeing the Pride Parade on the news. I looked over at her to see if she would start spouting anti-gay slurs like my Grandma always did, but she just looked at me and said, "Well look at that" and smiled. I was 12 and that one gesture let me know that it was okay to be who I was no matter what anyone said.

That was 1976 and things have changed a lot in my lifetime. I am so thankful for all those people who have fought so hard for the rights I now enjoy. It amazing to me how far we have come, but equally amazing that there is still so much work to be done. This weekend I am going to celebrate who I am and give thanks to those that have made it possible for all of us to enjoy the freedom we have today.

Happy Pride!