It Is Possible to Disagree and Be Respectful.
I wasn’t surprised by the sign. I grew up in a world where this particular sentiment would have been widely agreed-upon, knowingly laughed about, and considered evidence of piety.
This sign pretends to be about protecting a threatened belief, but it attempts to achieve this goal through mockery.
The sign uses one word -- PRIDE -- to mock and denigrate a group of people who have shown incredible courage.
Today is international pride day, honoring the courage and celebrating the accomplishments of LGBTQIA+ people all around the world, and specifically by commemorating the Stonewall Riots. A moment when this marginalized group banded together and demanded publicly that the harassment and cruelty targeted at them needed to stop.
Most queer people are taught to mistrust themselves and things that they know to be true. They are told to conform to an ideology that coerces them to become their own worst enemy. Often this coercion is done using language of care, concern and love -- language designed to create a stronger more unbreakable Stockholm Syndrome bond between the abused and the culture of abuse that surrounds them.
For many, having the courage to speak the truth costs them family, friends, jobs, and much worse.
The PRIDE we celebrate on this day refers to the courage to speak truth. This PRIDE is about supporting a chosen family of those who are willing to celebrate (instead of denigrate) that truth.
The hand-painted sign standing in front of the house around the corner distorts that PRIDE into a punchline by minimizing it and suggesting parity between "Straight Pride" and the truths that the word PRIDE contains for the LGBTQIA+ community.
At least this sign, still standing years later, is a testament and a reminder to the incredible battle that many LGBTQIA+ people face. A reminder that the struggle is very real, and very much not over.
I’m glad to say that Canton, Ohio celebrated PRIDE during First Friday this year and that there are far more pride flags flying in this town today than there are mocking signs in front lawns.
PRIDE is not a celebration that excludes. Everyone is welcome to celebrate this particular pride, these particular achievements, this brand of courage.
But not everyone will join in.
Some will disagree that this PRIDE is worth celebrating. I affirm respectful disagreement. Disagreement is essential. Understanding those who disagree with us is worthwhile,
But mockery will always be cruel. Mockery is cruel to the mocked and cruel to the mockers. The distortions and partial truths warp everyone's sense of the world and enhance deeply felt fears.
Mockery will always be cruel, but telling a hard-won truth will always create a better future-world for the audience and for the teller.
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