This year, Pride will last a wee bit longer for me than just the one weekend - it's taken me a couple days simply to absorb that a world where, when I came out, people still said that they were gay with a sort of terrified hesitancy, is now a world where gays and lesbians can get married nationwide. And honey, I'm 51 and that wasn't that long ago - ok nearly 30 years ago but still, that's a fuck short time for that kind of monumental, amazing, incredible change.
So, first, congrats to us all - and second, a thank you to all of you who came out to yourselves and to your friends and to your family and to your work place... it made a difference. WE made a difference.
Yes, there were activists and groups and directors of development and politicians who pushed our rights through - there is no denying the impact of their work.
But.
If you and I and your gay brother and sister weren't OUT day in and day out, this day would never have come. So, we celebrate because it is literally the victory that we have all earned a thousand times over.
The fight is not over as some on Facebook will remind us and btw I really feel sorry for people who can't enjoy this weekend and, still, need to point out how long it took and how many other things aren't done yet. My message to you: chill the fuck out and let us enjoy this for awhile.
And to continue the celebration of the diversity of our community, on Wednesday, July 1, I'll welcome The Naming Project as our beneficiary, a Christian organization devoted to providing a summer camp experience for LGBT youth in the midwest. This will be The Naming Project's second visit to Bingo, and please join me in welcoming them with open arms.
Joining us will be actor and producer Noam Ash, creator and star of the hit web series, "My Gay Roommate" See the trailer here;
A little about Noam:
Noam Ash is an actor and writer best known for his work on the hit web series, My Gay Roommate. Featured in the New York Times, Huffington Post, Queerty and many more, MGR has established itself as the largest scripted LGBT comedy on the internet with over 4,000,000 views. Other credits include Mark in A Chorus Line, Jamie in the world premier of the award winning play Chemistry, and Frank in the upcoming feature film Happy Yummy Chicken starring Taryn Manning.
Plus, in the post SCOTUS-decision world, we'll have Ross Murray from GLAAD to talk about where we go from here. Please join us for a night of drinks, dvds and an anything goes attitude.
Manny's at the bar, AB will be taking photos and the usual gang of regulars will join us for a fun hump day night of fun!
About The Naming Project
"The mission of The Naming Project is to create places of safety for youth of all sexual orientations and gender identities where faith is shared and healthy life-giving community is modeled.
"The goal of The Naming Project is to provide a safe and sacred space where youth of all sexual orientations and gender identities are named and claimed by a loving God; can explore and share faith; experience healthy and life-giving community; reach out to others; and advocate for systemic change in church and society."
For more information, please see: http://www.thenamingproject.org/
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