Tampa Bay activist E.L. Winston encourages us to 'Say Gay' again and again

The Britannica Dictionary defines pride as: a feeling that you respect yourself and deserve to be respected by other people. When I was a kid, this type of belief was very important to my father.

He taught me to be proud of who I was and I’ve never forgotten that lesson. Although we are in a time where some would like to tell me I shouldn’t have pride in being me— that being black and Trans is nothing to be proud of—I beg to differ. I cannot listen to the hate that would try to erase me from the world. Everyday I get out of bed with my
chest out and my head up which is no small feat, but I do it. I do it even though this year has felt like a battle.

A battle to be seen and a battle to be respected in a world that is not designed for me to be free. At every turn, it feels like I have been screaming from the top of my lungs, “I’m Here!"

So many of us are here. Here during a time where King Social Media battles for the likes instead of real change. Doesn’t it mean we (the elders) must continue to contribute to the changing of the narrative? We are lacking in passing down the knowledge of the struggles and the successes. Historically, this is how we impressed upon our young people the richness of history and heritage.

Our community is being attacked, our rights and liberties being stripped away,
and our culture is being ignored. It is vital that we pass on to the youth that there was a time when living as your true self from our community was unheard of and that in order for us to not slide back into that closet, we must meet our adversaries in the very places that they don’t want us. We must be present in the voting booths, the judges’ benches, the political offices, and anywhere else where we can directly impact the change we want to see. To have a say in what happens to us we must be in places of power.

I can remember going to my first Pride event, filled with so much emotion to know that I wasn’t alone and I didn’t have to be afraid. Moments like that are the bricks that built my self confidence, connected me with lifelong friends, and ignited my activism.

Can you believe it’s been 53 years since the Stonewall Riots? It feels like the road that was paved for us is looking rockier by the moment. This is why we need to keep standing. We need to keep showing up for those who will come behind us and let them know there is pride in our history. We should never stop sharing the history of
the struggles, the successes, and the culture of community. We must handle the treasure correctly. We should be proud of who we are.

Here’s to the next 53 years! May we stand and be heard. May we be respected for who
we are and if not may we have the courage to continue to demand our respect in every place and space that we occupy with PRIDE.

Local activist
E. L. Winston