Who You Are

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." ~Dr. Seuss

A couple weekends ago, my neighbour, her young son and I headed into town to watch the Peterborough Pride Parade. I expected it to be colourful, upbeat and fun and I wasn't disappointed.

Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it's a good place to start. ~ Jason Collins

This was the start of the parade which probably lasted about a half hour. Gotta love the play on words with the GayPole.

If you removed all of the homosexuals and homosexual influence from what is generally regarded as American culture, you would pretty much be left with "Let's Make a Deal." ~ Fran Lebowitz

This local businessman was feeling the love.

Gay teenagers are four times as likely to attempt suicide as straight ones. I wish they knew that there's nothing wrong with them; that they are just a different shade of normal. ~ Jodi Picoult

It was well attended by community kids..

There is nothing wrong with going to bed with someone of your own sex. People should be very free with sex, but they should draw the line at goats. ~ Elton John

... even kids of the four-legged variety.

It always seemed to me a bit pointless to disapprove of homosexuality. It's like disapproving of rain. 

~ Francis Maude

I was quite impressed and pleased with the huge show of support from local churches.

At some point in our lifetime, gay marriage won't be an issue, and everyone who stood against this civil right will look as outdated as George Wallace standing on the school steps keeping James Hood from entering the University of Alabama because he was black.

~ George Clooney

Each carrying their messages of love and acceptance.

It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength. ~ Maya Angelou

There was also the school board staff and students sporting t-shirts which said "Respect Accept Include."

Ethnic diversity adds richness to a society. ~ Gary Locke

Also supportive were various government branches.

If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door. ~ Harvey Milk

Our much-respected first responders such as the Peterborough Police...

I believe gender is a spectrum, and I fall somewhere between Channing Tatum and Winnie the Pooh. ~ Stephen Colbert

... prideful Paramedics..

When I was in the military, they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one. ~ Leonard Matlovich

... and our always-ready Infantry Reserves.

Don't quit. Never give up trying to build the world you can see, even if others can't see it. Listen to your drum and your drum only. It's the one that makes the sweetest sound. ~ Simon Sinek

Amnesty International followed close behind.

Let's make a law that gay people can have birthdays, but straight people get more cake--you know, to send the right message to kids.

~ Bill Maher

Everywhere I looked I saw youthful faces...

I was raised around heterosexuals, as all heterosexuals are, that's where us gay people come from... you heterosexuals. ~ Ellen DeGeneres

.. and youthful hearts.

I had a hell of a time convincing people I was gay - which was so annoying! ~ Portia de Rossi

There were high-flying butterflies...

Mothers, tell your children: be quick, you must be strong. Life is full of wonder, love is never wrong. Remember how they taught you, how much of it was fear. Refuse to hand it down - the legacy stops here. ~ Melissa Etheridge

.. and those who stayed closer to earth.

I once had a large gay following, but I ducked into an alleyway and lost him. ~ Emo Philips

I'm not so sure this little guy was aware of his flamboyant appearance..

We had gay burglars the other night. They broke in and rearranged the furniture. ~ Robin Williams

... but this guy surely was.

Why is it that, as a culture, we are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns than holding hands? ~ Ernest Gaines

Lots of fun and smiles all around.

The important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself. ~ Gore Vidal

The parade ended at a nearby park where folks mingled and muddled through the crowds.

Here is a little tip for all of you. Don't come out to your father in a moving vehicle. ~ Kate Clinton

Thanks for coming along!