Diary of a Pride Pioneer

Ode to Pride

Last week I finally got in touch with my eldest sister, Nancy, after four years of no contact with her. Since I am turning 18 this year I decided that I want to form everlasting relationships with important people in my life, including my older siblings so I decided to get in touch with them. After a month of trying I finally connected with Nancy!

I have only physically met Nancy twice in my life but let me tell you, she is one of the coolest people I know. She has short dark hair, wears lots of dark colors, has a plethora of piercings, and always talks to you like an equal. Anyway, after we got in contact we began messaging, trying to make up for lost time. I told her how happy I was to be talking with her and how I was graduating High School! Then she sent me a message that went a little like this:

'Hey Albie, I'm so proud of you growing up! Can't wait to come to your grad party and catch up in person. Also want you to meet my wife Natasha, I think you will absolutely love her!' Wait...her wife? Did I read that right? My sister was a lesbian? Queer? My inside began to do flips.

First I was confused, I know she had a boyfriend so what happened to that? I met him during my second encounter with her. How had her family taken this? I knew Aunt Sheryl was very conservative so I wonder how she had taken the news. Was this part of why they had not mentioned this occurrence to me? How would my family take this? Second, I was happy. Nancy had found love and that made me happy for her. Now I finally had someone I could open up to about my own sexuality and that was comforting, since I also come from a very conservative family that is not accepting of the LGBTQ+ movement.

It took me many years to come to terms with my own sexuality and the journey had many ups and downs. Today I identify as a pan-sexual woman, just one of the many things that makes me, me. I believe love is love and we all need to love each other.

So I just wanted to write this 'Ode to Pride' for Pride Month. I want the world to know that during pride month, I am proud. Proud of who I am and who God created me to be. I am proud of those who stand up and speak out, like my sister Nancy. Proud of a country that allows humans to love who they want. Today I am standing up to say, 'You are not alone'.

Love is love, no matter who we show it to and we need to love one another. I hope you will keep that in mind, allow yourself to open up to acceptance, and join us in this movement. With all this I will leave you with this quote from the new Hulu series 'Love, Victor'.

Sexuality is less of a straight line and more of a Circus Olay show. - Benji