We Celebrate Pride
WE CELEBRATE not because we are flaunting achievements or gloating about superiority. It is definitely not about the first among the seven deadly sins or capital vices which dogma describes as excessive belief in one’s abilities and the sin from which all others arise. It is also not about self-idolatry and the disproportionate sense of self and personal value. Most importantly, this is not a celebration of vanity, arrogance and hubris.
Instead, we celebrate the more profound dimension of pride. Philosophers regard it as a virtue, profound virtue. Aristotle called it a sort of crown of the virtues. He regarded it as a rational virtue fundamental in making rational judgment and in improving oneself. It serves as a moral compass that prevents the commission of disgraceful acts. The Greek philosopher also noted that it is impossible without goodness and nobility of character.
Psychology regards it as a complex human emotion. It manifests in not being ashamed of oneself regardless of circumstances and complexities in one’s life. It is accepting one's actions and choices. It also pertains to being fulfilled with group, community or nation a person belongs to. It is about the sense of belongingness people feel.
Pride is accepting and embracing one’s identity despite of the complexities and prejudice. It is rising above the harsh reality of intolerance and bigotry. It is mustering the courage to come out amidst and against stigma and discrimination.
We, in the National Youth Commission celebrate LGBT Pride. For we stand equality and respect for diversity. We stand against all forms of stigma and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression because it our mandate to promote and foster development and participation. Stigma and discrimination are deterrents to the attainment of our collective vision of meaningful development.
We Celebrate Diversity
In honor of Pride Month, Facebook rolled out a new and interesting reaction — a rainbow flag.
Along with the ubiquitous thumbs up, love heart, laughter, shock, sadness and anger, users of this social media platform can react to posts using a rainbow icon. This according to the company’s founder Mark Zuckerberg is because they “believe in building a platform that supports all communities” and to celebrate love and diversity this Pride Month.
One of the most beautiful meteorological phenomena, the rainbow has been appropriated by LGBT communities and social movements around the world. The colorful icon represents diversity within the community and in society. It also symbolizes equality, respect and acceptance of LGBT people. The rainbow flag has become the symbol of the struggle against discrimination and stigma.
When it was first adopted by the community, the rainbow flag was a symbol of identity, a representation of the often marginalized identities. Now, it is a symbol of solidarity with the advocacy for equal rights.
Barbra Streisand, a music and film legend also a gay icon herself, captured the spirit of solidarity and respect for diversity when she said “Just imagine how boring life would be if we were all the same. My idea of a perfect world is one in which we really appreciated each other's differences: short, tall, black, white, gay, straight—a world in which all of us are equal, but definitely not the same.”