Festive Pride Balloons Outside an East Village Restaurant (All Photos by Gail)
Happy Pride Month, NYC! We’re almost halfway into this favorite month of mine and it’s time for me to show enthusiastic support for the all LGBTQ-inclined friends of the ‘Gig! I love you! Here are some ways we can all get behind equality for our brothers and sisters, illustrated by a selection of my photos celebrating the beautify of diversity in NYC and beyond!
Born This Way
It’s not about choice: being gay is genetic. If you believe that gayness is a lifestyle choice then you are sadly ignorant and need to educate yourself. People are born gay just as people are born black, with blue eyes, or red hair. Sure, an individual can choose to deny his or her nature, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t something that was present within them since birth.
If you have a gay person in your life, love them unconditionally just as they love you. No one agrees on everything so learn to accept harmless differences. We are all the same.
Acknowledge The Power of Corporate Sponsorships
Companies and brands that support equal rights deserve your business. I know that Target caved to the Right, so we no longer get to see and enjoy their colorful Pride displays of clothing and accessories. This is a shame, and it’s one of the reasons I no longer shop there. If you see a business displaying a Pride flag, please support them by giving them your business and buying their products.
People are People
If I had to argue the point, l’d say gay people have more fun than straight people. There is no difference between gay people and straight people except their preference for who they sleep with, which harms no one. No one is persecuting you for being straight, so please learn how to open your mind to accept people of all persuasions.
While I don’t condone the hijacking of Christianity by the right, put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Jesus said “Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself.” There is no caveat that comes after that sentence. Another thing I was taught in elementary school is called the Golden Rule. Maybe you’ve heard of it: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” If you need an undated take, author Dan Savage once offered this succinct interpretation: “Tolerating Others is the Price We Pay for Being Tolerated Ourselves.” There’s no clearer way to say it.
Artist Geoffrey Dicker
Support Gay Artists
I’ve had gay friends as long as I have had friends, and I love them just as much as my straight friends. Sadly, we need to level the playing field, so I do my best to support my gay artist friends. This includes my BFF, LA-based artist Geoffrey Dicker, whose fantastic abstract art is absolutely something that everyone can enjoy. Please check out Geoffrey’s colorful paintings on Instagram and consider buying art from him, for your home or to give as gifts, via his website at This Link. He does commissions!
Imagine a World Where Everyone is Gay
Do you love Brunch? So do the gays! Understand that people are people. We love the same things! Take sexual orientation out of the picture and there is no difference. Next time you go out to Brunch, consider how gay people also love Brunch! You can buy this mug at Fishs Eddy on 19th Street and Broadway in Manhattan.