by Bob Schout
It is a month of Pride. But pride should not be relegated to this nor any other month. It should not be relegated to a moment of overcoming nor be galvanized by a parade, party or event in which our shear numbers give us the courage to show up and speak out. Pride is not a parade. It is not an event. It is the out-picturing of our belief in ourselves as sacred human beings, worthy and deserving of respect, love and kindness.
The pride that we're called to feel and embody is not born from arrogance, that may stem from the knowledge that we as a community or as individuals are gaining greater acceptance by family members and society. The acceptance by others should not, alone, make us proud, for then they have the power. It is not born from the growing power that we wield as a consumer group, nor the power that we as a GLBT Americans now wield in political arenas. It is not meant to flow from the arrogance developed from a realization of our economic base which stems from generally higher income levels or education levels than most of the US population.
Our pride should not be turned inward, directed at any of our brothers and sisters who are gay, lesbian, transgendered, bisexual, straight or questioning, coming in the form of the belief that we should homogenize as a community to be or get accepted. It should not come out as pridefullness of a few groups at the expense of others. The pride ( with a small 'p' ) of the human is a willful attitude and behavior that can rip a person and community in two. While the Pride ( with a capital 'P' ) of the divine within each person is the Will to be whole and accept others as whole, too.
True, healthful pride begins with acceptance of the self. It comes from seeing the good within oneself; the good that is the innate part of each one of us. Pride in our community begins with the awareness and acceptance of all of our brothers and sisters who express themselves in unique ways, even if they are different from that which we project ourselves to be. It means accepting family members and their diverse opinions and beliefs, by standing firmly in the acceptance of who they are and where they are at along their own special path of growth and understanding. It means remaining grounded in the presence of a power that lies not in our voting base, economic portfolios, or alliances, but within our hearts and minds, giving us the power of resolve, courage to confront, forthrightness to speak and act, and authenticity to simply Be. These are the internal powers that, throughout history, have turned the tides for all groups and individuals who seek and claim their dignity in the face of malignment, liberties in the face of repression, and respect in the face of hatred and ignorance.
Our pride is well deserved. It is born in the deep, loving acceptance of our selves as women and men who know and affirm beyond a shadow of a doubt that we were meant to be just who and what we are; that we a true gifts unto this world; that we are wholly human and divine in every moment of every day; and that we rightfully deserve to celebrate our selves. So, let us be proud of our power to love beyond all measure, those that we give our hearts to willingly, and those that seem to appear as our foes. Let us be proud of our ability to love, live and learn from all of our trials and tribulations, and from all of our brothers and sisters who remind us to be our true selves.
Take pride. Do not let it be contigent upon your community action or involvement, nor a statement or act of coming out. Let it innately spring forth from your heart-space within. It is yours by divine right. So take it, claim it, show it, speak it, and demonstrate it by your choices, actions, beliefs, thoughts and words. Express it quietly, courageously, voraciously, confidently, loudly, in whatever way you choose. Feel it in the privacy of your homes, in the confines of a classroom or cubicle, in stores and on the street corners, around family, friends and strangers alike. Grab hold of it and accept yourself and the beauty that is expressed in every person within our community. Don't forget nor neglect to respect those who do it in their own way, and accept and appreciate those who may have a long way, to go. Allow the power of this acceptance to be the base of your pride. When you do, you'll be proud today and every day.
Bob Schout is a consultant and spiritual leader/speaker who resides in New Mexico. E-mail Schout at bobschout@msn.com .