NYC: #TBT Pride
With the events in Orlando still fresh in my mind, I wanted to do a special #TBT. In the years before I moved to NYC, I interned there during the summers. It was during that first summer (2005) that I was exposed to my first ever Pride Parade. I remember my friend Jeff telling me about it earlier that year. I couldn't wait to experience the fierceness, the excitement, and of course, the dancing. The route was filled with tons of amazing floats, encouraging messages, and hundreds (maybe thousands?!) of people free to celebrate who they were without fear.
New York City's parade is next weekend, but if you're not in town to see the festivities, I encourage you to check out one wherever you are. Besides being an amazing party, the parades are a symbol that cities around the globe support their LGBTQ communities and won't give in to the hateful messages spewed by Truly Repugnant, Ugly Monster People.
-Jen
P.S. After the tragedy in Orlando last weekend, I felt helpless. I'm not a politician, I'm not an activist, I'm not a community leader. But I am an artist. And that's what I have to offer. After hearing Lin-Manuel Miranda pay tribute to the victims at the Tonys, I was inspired. Making this visible piece of sharable love made me feel like I could contribute to the fight to end hate, if only slightly.
Please feel free to share and spread the love.
