You Don’t Have to Show Pride to Have Pride!

This is a shout out to all the queer people (myself included) who hold back on expressing their pride as openly as others.

Some of us are only just discovering our queerness. Others are dealing with a lousy work environment. Many of us are just not in the right emotional space.

For some queerness presents a very real physical danger.

Maybe they’re in an abusive home, school, or state. They might have even been the target of “religious” hate crimes. Maybe they have a past trauma that is easily triggered.

So while expressing pride for some is a way of life and a duty? For others it’s a luxury they can’t yet afford.

Please be patient with us. Please show us acceptance. Don’t write us off, or put us down.
We hope to wave that banner with you some day, just not yet.

And for my fellow hesitant queers? It’s not just okay to go through life at your own pace, it’s vital.
Never kick yourself for taking your time. Never! Express pride however you can, even if it’s just in private.

—

Justin Hubbell is a cartoonist and freelance artist from upstate New York. In an attempt to serve the greater good, he aims to create volumes of work revolving around the social politics that govern our daily lives. He posts his cartoons weekly at justinhubbell.com. He has also been featured on The Good Men Project, UpWorthy, Digital America, Kabooooom, and submits comics regularly to local publications. He has no preferred pronouns, she is a unapologetic nerd.

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Queer Identity

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10 responses

mm172001

July 28, 2015

Reblogged this on Marci, Mental Health, & More and commented:
I still get a little hesitant when it comes to showing my pride.

Reply
1. Justin Hubbell (@HubbellJustin)
  
  August 5, 2015
  
  Pride takes time! Most of us weren’t taught pride growing up, it’s almost like learning a new language. The only thing I can say is I’m getting better and better at it, but I’m certainly not fluent yet :p
  
  Reply
Crystal Rose

July 29, 2015

Thank you for writing this. I grew up in an unsafe time and place to be queer. I’m glad to see it is a little better for my daughter, but I do feel a bit of fear for her when she is proudly waving her flag. I encourage her to do it anyway.

Reply
1. Justin Hubbell (@HubbellJustin)
  
  August 5, 2015
  
  You’re welcome. Glad to hear you got out of that situation! I’ve been startled myself to see young people throw caution to the wind when it comes to their pride, but I recognize it’s because of my life and what I went through. Ultimately it’s a great sign that your daughter expresses herself so openly 🙂
  
  Reply
manyofus1980

July 29, 2015

Reblogged this on Many of us's blog and commented:
I have pride! I’m not afraid to show it!

Reply
1. Justin Hubbell (@HubbellJustin)
  
  August 5, 2015
  
  I’m glad! ^_^
  Just don’t forget to extend your pride to others! <3
  
  Reply
ZEM

August 3, 2015

I rejoice in the fact that I live in a time and place where I can let my freak flag fly. I have been a flag twirler in my local pride parade and I try to live as a visible presence since I am comfortable doing so.

Reply
1. Justin Hubbell (@HubbellJustin)
  
  August 5, 2015
  
  It is such a blessing to have that support, and that confidence. We need more twirlers to inspire the rest of us! <3
  
  Reply
lbeth1950

August 8, 2015

I know you encourage a lot of people.

Reply
1. Sam Dylan Finch
  
  August 8, 2015
  
  If this comment was directed to me – I sure hope so! This is a guest post by Justin, so the accompanying text isn’t mine. 🙂
  
  Reply