Express Yourself: Community messages for PRIDE

Kimberly: “Pride gets wild, and it’s good to remember to have your fun but keep it safe. We’re both in our 20s, and HIV and STDs are big issue right now, not just with gay men but also with lesbians and straight people – everyone. It’s a very blunt phrase, but it’s true: Safe sex is hot. There’s nothing more attractive than someone who you know always practices safe sex.” Justin: “Having pride is also having pride in yourself, and using protection. Everyone’s partying during Pride, getting intoxicated and totally losing track of their bodies, and a lot of people talk about safe sex but don’t follow through. You see a lot of ad campaigns about meth or drugs but I think there should be more messages about safe sex. The party will always be there, but your health won’t. Be respectful of your body – you only have one!”

Charles: “Have the courage to take pride in who you are and your role in the community. There are a lot of people, behind the scenes, who do work to empower others whether they’re volunteering or they’re passing bills to make things a little bit better for everybody else. It’s contagious – the more people out there exhibiting their pride, whatever movement that is and however you show your pride, people are picking it up and it empowers them to be better.” Matthew: “I struggled with who I am for many years, and seeing people who are confident with who they are, laying the groundwork for the steps we as a community are taking, has empowered me to do more also. Whenever you feel pride, whether in who you are or what you do, you feel empowered to achieve more.”

Bill: “Everything that’s happened in your life is going into who you are right now. I was diagnosed HIV positive in the 80s, and I survived double pneumonia and thyroid cancer, through prayer and getting the message there’s a reason I’m still here. I’m very happy with who I am. I live in the country and drink clean water from a well, I eat natural foods. I get a lot of exercise, mind and body. I walked away from drugs and alcohol, finally. That makes a big difference. I try to be honest, because once you put the truth out there about yourself you never have to worry about what anybody is saying about you. I have an optimistic view of life as a Christian man and love the smallest thing or the biggest idea. I try to love and respect everyone. I said try. I’m not perfect.”