Dear Nina

My boyfriend and I are both 19 years old, and there is something we don’t understand – "Pride week". Are we only supposed to proud one week a year? What happens to this Pride the rest of the year? And another thing the parade that is supposed to represent is the community, right. Well neither my boyfriend nor me do drag or have any interest in leather, so how does this parade represent us? It seems to represent the more extreme aspects of our community. Where does that put us?

To Pride or not to Pride

Dear Prideless,

Pride is something we celebrate individually every day, with the exception of this one week where we all join together to celebrate our Pride and Diversity as a community. It is meant to bring us together to learn from one another. We suffer enough intolerance outside our own community on a daily basis. If there is one lesson you and your boyfriend need to learn is tolerance for your own community. If you don’t feel represented in the parade, then I say get your point out to the masses and put together a float for entry that represents you and your vision of what pride is about, but don’t belittle the people that make the effort until you are making the same effort. Remember you could always sit on the sidelines and bitch about what’s not being done, or you could get involved and make change. I am not saying start doing drag or to become leather men. But it only takes a few to speak up and make change, so don’t be afraid to get involved. This is your Pride as well!!! Now show me your Pride you sour pusses!

Nina Tron

P.S. I look forward to seeing you all at the GayCalgary.com Pride parade as well as the Outlooks Street Festival on Sunday June 6th and of course on the Detour stage with Ms. Willie Taylor that very evening. And don’t forget the Pride dance June 12th at the Round Up Centre. Happy Pride to one and all!!!!!

Love Nina

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Contributor Nina Tron |

Topic Ask Nina | Advice |