Tomorrow night, June 17 is a sort of national call for all gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered to get off of social media and go out and, well, be social. So I hope you're planning on doing that. It's called the "Refuse to Hide Campaign" and you can click here to see the Facebook invite for it. Sometimes these links to FB invites don't work, but you can always type "Refuse to Hide" in the events search box and find it.
So this weekend and/or for Pride, when you're out and about - please be careful and make sure that you do these three things at every venue that you go to:
1. Make sure you know where the exits are. Don't let it ruin your night, but just simply notice. If it seems as though there's only one way out (i.e. the way back in), make sure you know what other rooms are there (i.e. the office or maybe even, God forbid the basement where the frig is sometimes located).
2. If the bar has a doorman or bouncer, rather than hassle them because there's a cover or they're patting you down for drugs (and, now, guns), thank them. There's is a thankless job and they are always seen as the party poopers. But thank them for keeping you safe. They will be glad that you did. Trust me on this one. You want that doorman or bouncer as your friend, not your adversary. And if post Orlando they are a little too ... handsy, just giggle and tell them that you're not that kind of girl. They'll maybe appreciate a little levity all the way around.
3. And have fun. What the terrorists (and these people are terrorists plain and simple) want is to scare the shit out of us so that we cower before them like we did when we were kids and they were calling us 'faggots'. Don't give them the satisfaction. Laugh. Kiss your friends on the cheeks. Hold hands with your boyfriend. Dance. I'd rather not die right now thankyouverymuch, but I'm also not going to spend the rest of my life sitting in front of the TV or in front of my computer.
I know it's corny to say, but I believe that it's true - #LoveWins - Sure, maybe not this week, but it does win. I don't see the use in thinking otherwise. I really don't. Because, really, what does that get you? Then you're just a miserable fucking wretch spinning around in your own angry filth. And when you complain that you're alone, we will just go 'well, there's a reason for that....". I'm not saying that you have to live your life all butterflies and buttercups, but maybe rather than seeing everything in the darkness, it's possible to find a half way point.
Anyway, I hope to see you out and about this weekend, having fun, living life, and refusing to hide!
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