LIVING OUT
B Y S A L LY S H E K L O W
Why I’m Going
to PRIDE
B
131 E. 5th Ave. • 687-2805
BUFFALOEXCHANGE.COM •
How did Kevin
end up at SELCO?
He wanted to be able to act fast
once he found the perfect home.
SELCO’s experienced loan offi cers led
Kevin through the home buying experience.
He was able to move quickly, thanks to his
SELCO mortgage preapproval.
With new house keys in hand, he turned to
SELCO Insurance Services to protect his
investment with a homeowner’s policy.
How will you end up at SELCO?
Visit us to see what SELCO can do for you.
selco.org / 541-686-8000
Several locations in Eugene and Springfi eld
NMLS# 402847
Membership requirements apply. See SELCO for details.
Banking | Mortgages | Insurance | Retirement | Business Lending
6
A ugust 11, 2016 • eugeneweekly.com
ecause of Orlando.
Because just yesterday I reverted and referred to my wife as “my partner.”
Because my gay friend’s 70-year-old lesbian sister has yet to come out of the
closet.
Because lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are the most likely
targets of hate crimes.
Because Skye Mockabee, 26, found dead in a parking lot in Cleveland, Ohio, July 30 is the 17th
transgender woman of color murdered in the U.S. this year.
Because queer and gender non-conforming youth are still bullied and shamed and rejected and
made to feel their lives aren’t worthwhile.
Because the 2016 Republican platform condemns the Supreme Court’s ruling for marriage
equality, supports protections for business owners whose “religious beliefs” prevent them from
serving same-sex couples, promotes conversion therapy and denounces opening school bathrooms
to transgender people.
Because the 2016 Democratic platform applauds the Supreme Court’s recognition of our
right to marry; guarantees equal rights in housing, employment, public accommodations, credit,
jury service, education and federal funding; opposes state efforts to discriminate against LGBT
individuals, including restriction of access public spaces; supports a progressive vision of religious
freedom that respects pluralism and rejects the misuse of religion to discriminate; vows to combat
LGBT youth homelessness and improve school climates, support LGBT elders, ensure access to
necessary health care and protect LGBT people from violence — including ending the crisis of
violence against transgender Americans; will promote LGBT human rights and ensure America’s
foreign policy is inclusive of LGBT people around the world.
Because my rainbow HILLARY pin arrived in time to wear at PRIDE.
Because I need the reminder that I’m part of an amazing and wonderful diverse queer community.
Because there’s so much to celebrate.
Because this summer President Obama designated the Stonewall Inn the first-ever national
LGBTQ monument.
Because lesbian actor Lily Tomlin is the first out performer to receive the Screen Actors
Guild Lifetime Achievement Award.
Because Brittney Griner and six other out U.S. lesbians are among the 44 publicly out LGBTI
athletes competing in Rio, the most ever for any Olympics.
Because the U.S. Navy is naming a new Military Sealift Command fleet ship the “USNS Harvey
Milk.”
Because PRIDE is one public place where I can hold hands with my wife without feeling self-
conscious.
Because PRIDE is the best place to wear my tie-dye rainbow T-shirt.
Because I like running into queer friends and allies.
Because I owe it to my community to show up and represent and contribute and be counted.
Because I support the queer-owned and queer-supportive businesses that will have booths there.
Because queer and queer-friendly police will be there to protect and serve.
Because I like rainbow swag.
Because the queer community is creative and resilient and fun and beautiful.
Because it’s important to see each other being ourselves and celebrating our diversity.
Because it’s fun.
Because I’m proud of our progress and all we’ve accomplished.
Because being in queer spaces affirms and uplifts and re-energizes us.
Because of all these and lots of other reasons I am definitely, happily and proudly going to
PRIDE.
Award-winning writer Sally Sheklow has been sharing her out-and-proud lesbian life in EW since 1999. She will
be attending the Eugene PRIDE Festival noon – 6 pm, Saturday, Aug. 13, at Alton Baker Park.