We were
encouraged at the beginning of the march to remember those who live in
countries where being lgbtq means certain torture, exclusion, or even death.
And to remember those who have gone before us who have helped pave the way so
that in Canada we enjoy some of the greatest freedoms of lgbtq people anywhere.
We were encouraged to recognize and affirm in our walking that we, lgbtq people,
no longer need to hide our identities from the world.
I am writing this open letter because I do not
want to hide who I am from people in my life, especially my family. And I think I have already spent far too much time in my short life hiding, being worried about what other people think. I want to
be honest about who I am, who I love, and what is important to me in my life.
This is for my own well-being (b/c it’s just not healthy to have to hide) and
because I think the personal is political and I want my life to be a witness.
There are still so many lgbtq people or allies who are afraid of speaking out
and so many lgbtq youth suicides. I want my life to be an encouragement to
other people on their journey- just as others have encouraged me.
I’ve told many of my close friends and family
already long ago but for those who do not know, I am bisexual and in a loving, committed
relationship with a fantastic woman named Jodi. And I am proud of who I am and of our relationship.
For me, being proud means to not be ashamed of who I am and celebrate that. I marched
today because I not only wanted to affirm myself as a bisexual Mennonite but I
also wanted to affirm the diversity of each and every person who I marched
with- people of different gender identities, sexual orientations, races,
ethnicities, and religions. I am proud of the diversity that we have in Canada
and to which each of us contributes. And I think it is important that we
continue to celebrate this diversity and make sure that it is protected. Too
often being lgbtq is still condemned as wrong or undesirable or sinful and met
with hateful words and actions. And it’s for that reason that I stand up and I
march for diversity and I say:
“Happy
Pride!”
