IDENTITY

June is Pride month in the City of Binghamton, and Mayor Ryan is again planning to Raise the Pride flag over city hall.  Press releases have gone out about events planned for Pride, and hopefully, there will be some news coverage of Pride events.  As a proud and active member of the LGBTQ community, I’m proud of this city and it’s government for celebrating this month with us; for celebrating the people of this community and all of the contributions made by the LGBTQ citizens here.  I’m proud of the strong, brave history of the community, of the humor and resolve and diversity, and the hearts and minds we open when we live our lives with pride.

            As we enter into this month of celebration for the LGBTQ community, I’m thinking back to last fall, when it seemed that every week another gay or “different” kid somewhere in America took his own life because of bullying.  The news was shocking and sad.  Somewhere, a movement was created where everyone was to wear purple to raise awareness and support for struggling gay teens everywhere.  Then, as we tend to do, we got distracted by new headlines and forgot to notice when gay kids continued to take their lives. 

            This morning, while reading the paper, Zach Harrington was on my mind. Zach was a 19-year-old gay teen who committed suicide about a week after attending a city counsel meeting in his hometown.  His family described the atmosphere of this meeting as “toxic.” The discussion over whether or not the city should recognize October as LGBT history month featured a parade of citizens taking their turns to speak their minds to the city counsel about how this proclamation would allow the gay community to infiltrate the schools and recruit kids.  City counsel members who voted to allow this would have trouble getting elected, they said.  Numerous people cited the bible as the primary reason why they opposed this idea.  I hope that if you asked these people whether they intended to harm Zach with their opinions, they would adamantly deny it.  They would cite their strong values and beliefs and their intention to protect the ideals that they hold so high.  Maybe they would talk about their own children and how they want to protect them from ideas that would harm them or encourage them to adopt an unhealthy lifestyle.  Probably, at least I hope, they were not acting maliciously that day, in their minds.  But anyway, Zach heard his neighbors speak.  He got discouraged and depressed.  He decided to end his life.

            I hope that other people will think about Zach when they start to type their responses to the letters to the editor regarding gay marriage, or the blurbs about the Pride picnics.  But I’ve been around for a while, and I know better. 

            So, what I want to say to you guys, is that I have no doubt whatsoever that when news of Pride events appear in the Press and Sun there will be comment after comment about the gay agenda, and what god wants or intends, or what’s natural or unnatural.  You’ve heard it all before.  It’s unoriginal, tired and uninspired, but it might still make you feel a little sad.  So don’t read it.  When you stand outside of city hall next Friday, don’t pay attention to the people across the street with their silly Adam and Steve signs.  They don’t matter.  Think about your good friends, and teachers, relatives, volunteers at Identity, all the people who speak out in support.  Think about the gay adults you know who have jobs and homes and families and happy, healthy lives.  Think about your future and possibilities ahead of you. Pay attention to that flag and the message it brings:  You belong in this community.  LGBTQ people have done great things and are an asset to our country and our community in so many ways.  You are important.  You are loved.  Today and every day, there are so many reasons for you to be proud of who you are. Happy Pride!

Love, Erin