Happy Pride Month

Although I knew that pride month has its roots in the Stonewall Riots that began with a raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York, on June 28th, 1969, what I did not realize was that for activists pride marches are seen as protests not parties. I’ve always viewed pride month as a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community as well as a protest. I believe for many, it can be both.

I didn’t attend my first pride march until I was in my thirties. Sadly, I didn’t even know they existed until then. Having realized I was a lesbian when I lived in Arizona, a person didn’t really talk about those things back then and especially not in the deep red state of Arizona (things have changed a bit for the better). Too bad I didn’t know the first pride march in Phoenix was organized in 1981, which would have meant there was one to attend when I lived in Arizona. Since I discovered I was a lesbian in my twenties and we often made the trek from Flagstaff to Phoenix, it would not have been an inconvenience to make the drive. After moving to Seattle, I learned of a very robust community for lesbians and along with my pals from work, we had a grand ole time at the pride event, which I finally attended in the 90s.

One year I remember our rainbow riders bike group decided we would join the Dykes on Bikes with our little road bikes (not motorcycles, the two wheeled pedal variety). It was hilarious and great fun. Sure, there were speeches of the political variety, but I didn’t have the kind of appreciation and reverence that I have today for the pride parade and the month.

Although we have come a long way since that first pride march in 1970 on the anniversary of the start of the Stonewall Riots, the alarming attacks on our community, especially on our trans brothers and sisters, means we have a ways to go. I will still view this month as a celebration of diversity, but now I try to keep in the back of my mind why we especially need this month to make our voices known. Let’s not lose sight of the original intent of pride month. It is a protest. We will not be erased. We’re here, we’re queer…get used to it, because this little lesbian is not going away or climbing back in the closet…again!

I’m stoked to have a new book that just came out during pride month, especially since I co-wrote the book with my good pal and author extraordinaire, Ali Spooner. So far it seems to be well received (probably because Ali is a co-author-whatever she pens turns to gold). For those who have followed Ali and me, you know this book is the fourth installment in the Trophy Wives Series that we started several years ago. What’s not to like about lesbian pleasure workers, who are great friends that love deeply? If y’all want to check out Trouble in Paradise or any of my previous backlist, you know the drill…just click the links below!

Buy From Affinity Amazon US Amazon UK Amazon Australia Amazon Canada Amazon Germany Book 4 in the Trophy Wives Club Series