I attended Capital Pride hours before the Orlando shooting

This past weekend, there were numerous Pride events and parades across the nation. I had the opportunity to attend Capital Pride in DC. As a straight cis-gender male who has never been to such an event, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d been told there would be a maelstrom of glitter, rainbows, candy, and condoms, so I was looking forward to some sort of exciting spectacle. By the end of the parade, I realized that I had been a witness to not a spectacle, but a celebration. It was an exercise of courage, tolerance, acceptance and, most importantly, love.

Hours before the parade even began, I explored various parts of the city. Nearly every building had a gay pride flag flying proudly above its entrance. There were vendors on every street corner selling their best rainbow paraphernalia. Residents of DC had also decked themselves out in a plethora of colorful patterns and costumes. Tattoos, stickers and spray paint were in abundance, and the entire city was bustling with joy. Even though it was upwards of 90 degrees, no one that I had seen had let the sweltering heat get to them. I’d never seen so many different groups of people all vying for the same cause.

However, not everyone in attendance was a part of the celebration. There were a handful of Christian protesters armed with megaphones, signs, fire, brimstone and a handful of biblical quotes. I lost count of the amount of times I heard Leviticus 18:22.

Many of them preached God’s wrath, constantly pointed fingers towards the crowds and claimed that they would all find a well-deserved place in hell. Various members of the LGBTQ community responded in different ways. While most people ignored them, there were a few individuals who openly mocked them, made their own speeches, or joined hands and began to sing “Jesus Loves Me.” From what I could tell, the protesters only made the crowd in front of them more energized and more united against them. Though they attempted to convert the masses, they only made it clear why Pride events are necessary. These demonstrations serve to unite members of the community, remind them that there is a place for them and reinforce the idea that they are loved just as they are.

The parade itself was spectacular. The teeming crowd burst into excitement as the very first float drove by. We were met with loud music, drag queens, dancing and even a double-decker bus. Every once in a while, we would be pelted with Mardi Gras beads, showered with confetti and various candies. I managed to snag a few goodies for myself. To my surprise, the noise never once died down. It completely drowned out the cries of the protesters. The palpable exhilaration remained until the last float drifted by. The streets were packed from end to end with attendees. It was an endless sea of laughter, shouting and smiling faces.

I was happy to see how diverse the represented groups were. People from all walks of life showed up in full force. People from all different races and religions were joined together for a common cause. It was one of the most beautiful things I had ever experienced.

The most important takeaway from this experience is the need for love and acceptance. In light of this nation’s most recent tragedy, I feel that we must continue to push these ideas forward. No one should feel oppressed because of who they are. No one should feel that they cannot be safe simply being themselves. And most importantly, no one should have to fear for their lives because of whom they love. Regardless of religious beliefs or political values, we must accept that not everyone lives life in the same way. We must treat one another as human beings and not allow our differences to divide us.

The attack on Sunday morning has left many in shambles and mourning. I know that I’m not a part of the LGBTQ community, so I can’t completely empathize with the numerous struggles they have faced, even before this disaster. There is only so much I can say, and only so much that I can offer. But I choose to do whatever I can to support those who have suffered. Attending Capital Pride granted me an up-close look at members of the LGBTQ community. I saw happiness, joy, acceptance and unity. I saw people who refuse to be oppressed. I saw people who will fight for their rights and continue to stand strong in the face of trying times.

Sunday’s attack has left the nation and the world scarred, but through love, unity and acceptance, we can eventually heal. We have already seen so many examples of this. We’ve seen hundreds of Florida residents wait hours in the blistering heat, ready to donate blood to complete strangers. We’ve seen countless public figures use their platforms to advocate the need for change. We’ve seen Americans from all walks of life unite in candlelight vigils and prayer groups. Attending a Pride Parade a few mere hours before the shooting has made it clear to me why these events must happen. They show us that in spite of what evils the world may churn out, the LGBTQ community is a group that will never stop fighting for the right to love whom they love.

#weareOrlando