Yesterday, history was made. For the first time ever, active duty and retired military people marched in the Pride parade in San Diego. In full uniform.
It looked like this. (pictures via JoeMyGod):
Aw! A proposal?! Yes!
Anyway, this is a huge and momentous event, and I am sure that every single active duty and retired and reserve service member who is gay or is gay-supportive is celebrating this. I happen to live with a guy who spent 47 months in Iraq, fighting Dubya’s wars, and thank god, he’s back and safe and happy now. He’s also a gay guy. So, Skipper, I just wanted you to see this. You knew you were appreciated, but we’re finally hitting a moment where you’re appreciated, on this level, for everything you did and continue to do. Wish the stars had aligned for you to be in that parade, but the fact of the matter is that there are so many gay troops it’d be a hell of a fiasco trying to get them all in the same place at the same time. Regardless, this moment is for Skipper and all the umpteen thousands like him.
That’s all.
Last October I went to Atlanta to visit my cousin, who had recently moved to Atlanta, and for Gay Pride! I was delighted that his mom and his sister-in-law also made the trek! We dined, laughed, shopped, went to church, all pretty normal things. I had been to Atlanta Pride a few times, but never with a family member. My cousin’s mom is 3 years younger than my mom who passed away in November 2006 and they were very close. To be able to a Gay Pride parade with them, see all the pflag, HRC, friends for life, so many churches(of many denominations), etc all expressing love for one another was touching to all of us! But on a special note, 5 months after returning for Southwest Asia, I see for the first time, active duty DoD personnel marching is the Atlanta parade! It was my first pride event since the fall of DADT and the first time that I truly felt as if my country apreciated my service and the service of people like me! Thank you Mr President for making me feel like a real person. And thank you Rvan for all that you do to spot light injustice and help the Truth Win Out!
what great pics!
And the proposal..! Wonderful. Hope it will be legal in CA soon!
Skipper, great post. Atlanta PRide is huge and great fun (and year, you will see as many floats for churches as you will for bars. It’s the south..but the new south). Thanks for your service Skipper, and head on back down here when you get the chance :)