I have to admit that I’m a real sucker for a celebratory parade. My dad was a big fan of John Philip Sousa marches and every Fourth of July my mother organized a family parade to celebrate her birthday. We even had a float! We would spend all day decorating a cart dad made for the little ones with crepe paper, flags, bunting, and balloons. Then we would hook it up to the riding lawn mower and dad, the official grand marshal every year, would drive it around the property until mother said she had had enough. I’ll never forget the year she dressed as The Statue of Liberty, torch and all. With memories like that how could I not love a parade?
This year, I was fortunate enough to march in the Nashville Pride Parade with other members of The Contributor community! I was a little anxious about what the reaction of the parade-watchers would be, what with all the hate being hurled at the LGBTQ community by our state legislators for the last few years. But I should have known that the good people of my town, Nashville, would show up in droves to celebrate this special segment of our citizenry.
It couldn’t have been more glorious! There were thousands of happy, smiling faces everywhere I looked. Folks laughed and cheered all the way down Broadway. It was the best, most joyful day I’ve had in a very long time. Moms, dads, children, grandmas and grandpas all showed up. And what more can anyone want than to be cheered on by their community for being exactly who they are?
Thank you, Nashville, for showing up. I will not soon forget the warmth of your smiling faces and cheers. Let’s hope that when the legislature reconvenes, you will be as vocal and supportive when they try to take another shot at our cherished LGBTQ neighbors. Let them know that you won’t stand for the persecution of any minority group in Tennessee! And when you write, or call, or email — do it with pride!