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Audre Lorde wrote, ‘Who I am is what fulfills me and what fulfills the vision I have of a world.’ (Blade file photo by Doug Hinckle)
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Rev. Cedric A. Harmon is associate pastor at City of Refuge-Washington, D.C., and can be reached via this publication.
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Black Pride’s evolution
After nearly 14 years with little competition, more Black Pride festivals are cropping up across the country and money is tight, so local organizers are making changes to adapt.
Black Pride’s evolution
After nearly 14 years with little competition, more Black Pride festivals are cropping up across the country and money is tight, so local organizers are making changes to adapt.
Celebrating
Organizers will continue to focus on HIV/AIDS awareness and increasing gay pride at the 13th annual Black Lesbian & Gay Pride Day
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HOME > VIEWPOINT > EDITORIAL
By: Rev. Cedric A. Harmon COMMENTS
 
AM WHAT time, circumstance, history, have made of me, certainly, but I am also, much more than that. So are we all.” (James Baldwin)
I recall the elation, joy and feelings of confidence when I was able to say out loud that I am an African-American same-gender-loving man and a Christian minister. None of these factors excluded the other or challenged the importance or truth of the other. I also celebrate the fact that these identifiers are not all there is to me — I am so much more.
Arriving at a place of certainty, surety and comfort is not a quick endeavor. For many same-gender-loving people it is a lifelong journey. The suspected narrative for LGBT people is comprised of episodes of self-doubt, fear and loathing, refusals and denials, hostility and rejection. Simply raising one’s head to see the light of day can be daunting. The prophet and warrior Audre Lorde put it this way: “I remember how being young and black and gay and lonely felt. A lot of it was fine, feeling I had the truth and the light and the key, but a lot of it was purely hell.”
However, from April to late summer, in locations dotting the globe, same-gender-loving people will be participating, partying and proudly proclaiming their truth. Truths about the contributions they make in every way to the wellbeing, growth and uplift of their community, family and faith traditions. Although some would paint us with brushes soaked in pejorative notions, label us pariahs and takers, we will celebrate the gifts we bring everyday.
Front desk personnel and CEOs, we give of our expertise. Educators and brilliant attorneys, we give to others needed knowledge and expert representation. Minister, musician and parent, we give counsel, comfort and compassion. Politicians and beauticians, we influence the lives and advance trajectories toward greatness for ourselves and for others. For the gifts we bring to the larger world and for the gifts received, big and small, Pride fills our hearts.
PRIDE, BEYOND CELEBRATION, is also an opportunity to express tremendous thanks for all of those people and places that recognize our gifts, appreciate our presence and embraced us all along. For some, it’s friends and mentors, for others, loving biological families, families of choice, community and houses of worship were among those people and places affirming, loving and supporting us. During Pride, the faith and trust demonstrated by friends, allies and justice-making people everywhere is honored.
I hope that Pride will evoke for same-gender-loving and LGBT people authenticity, power and greatness in full measure. I hope that Pride will afford time for good conversations, meaningful engagement of issues and careful planning for our collective future.
I hope that more and more people will endeavor to become more and more themselves and live from an authentic place as opposed to living to fulfill others’ expectations.
IT IS THEN that each of us can experience the elation, joy and confidence that emanates from love of self. Love for the unique creation of God that you are, love for each aspect of you specifically designed to meet a particular need in the world, love for the community that loves you for the gift that you are, love for yourself and others. Yes, love for the image in the mirror so that healthy life choices and behaviors are the default and not a special option. Enough love to proudly acknowledge the contributions made and the contributions yet to be made.
Pride provides caution as well. During these days of revelry, proper dignity should be on display, because there is much to applaud and acknowledge. However, so much more needs to be done. These days spent with friends, new and old, may be catalysts for new creativity, times for fresh ideas to germinate and great opportunities to begin addressing the needs of those not at the party.
Audre Lorde wrote, “Who I am is what fulfills me and what fulfills the vision I have of a world.”
I think a world of proud people making positive contributions to each day is a worthwhile vision. How about you?
Happy Pride!
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