Pride 2023 is very different this year … and I don’t like it.

For those of you who know me or have read my book, you know that I love Pride Month and in particular Pride Weekend in New York. Since the very first year I came out, (wow, what an experience) it’s always been such a validation of self, a unification of a very diverse community, and a rally cry to keep progressing.

The last few years have also been focusing on the strides we’ve been making, stepping more and more towards equality. Acceptance. Although truth be told, we’ve seen our transgender members really suffer, hence we’ve been focusing our efforts there.

But this year it’s all going backwards. I feel like we are going backwards with hate. So I for one am having a hard time embracing Pride this year, at least from a celebratory perspective. From a validation of self perspective.

I don’t like Pride this year.

Sure, we had our agency reinvent our logo for Pride as we should. As we have been doing. But this year it’s not about celebration, but about supporting and joining the fight.

And yes of course I am participating in Pride events and discussions, including the PRWeek Pride in PR which debuted on the first of the month.

But I don’t like Pride this year … so I am going to fight. I’m going to fight to get rid of the hate, get rid of the divide, and get rid of the violence so that at some point soon we can get back to our pathway of equity and our pathway of celebration.

Then and only then will I like Pride again. Join me?

What’s your experience? JIM

BTW … when I first wrote my book to share my story, I didn’t think it was all that important. Now I realize just how important it is for us to share our story. It’s a part of the fight. So share your story! Please!

I Don't Like Pride This Year