Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Pride.
The Farewell
It’s a harsh summer evening when Emily gives us the news of her departure. We’re just a group of lanky teenagers sitting on the bank of the river, but the most important thing to us is each other. She prepared a going away present for all of us, something to remember her by. She gives it to me last, pushing back her wild brown curls and pressing something from her equally sweaty hand into mine; I am reminded again of why I don’t want her to leave. We don’t stay much longer after that, and everyone is a mess of sticky sweat and tears while we say goodbye for the last time to Emily. I open my hand on the way home, not wanting to see the gift when I could spend my time looking at her and find a little green gem, wrapped in wire and hung on a thick black string.
By Morgan Starkey4 years ago in Pride
I Guess It's Time to Come Out Now
I feel like part of me is still scared to say the word… “bisexual.” It’s bizarre to write it down when it was a word I fled from for so long, a part of my identity I denied for the first eighteen years of my life. I told myself I just thought girls were really pretty. I honestly thought that. I allowed my life and my understanding of myself to be hindered for so long because of the heteronormative culture I was surrounded by growing up.
By Saloni Rao4 years ago in Pride
Lifting Spirits
“Rei. Rei, open up.” Silence. “Rei Fortuna Letra if you don’t open this goddamn door right now, I’m gonna-” The door creaks open and the young woman slams it open, muttering half-hearted praises about being lucky. The woman is hispanic, her light brown skin contrasting the dark eyes that glared into the empty room.
By Edlyn Escoto4 years ago in Pride
Being Gay no longer has to be a secret
I have often said to a lot of my gay friends that I think there needs to be more open communication on how their half live. The gay community seem so afraid someone is going to ask question that they might not have and answer to. They are afraid to be ridiculed. They are so afraid others may judge them. Suck it up people! Communication is the only way to normalcy. Gay people use some traditions but their is no book on how to live as a gay couple. Being gay there is no format on how gay families conduct themselves in any type of relationship. I would like to see more relatable stories base on gay relationship and everyday daily situation so we can relate and share stories. We need to see the good, the bad and the ugly in gay families, gay relationships, gay dating, gay romance, and any other question straight people may have about gay people. Gay can no longer be kept as a well kept secret because we have people who need to be held responsible for unacceptable behavior.
By Peggy Whitaker4 years ago in Pride
Paramore
There's a line in "Still Into You" by Paramore that says *recount the first night I met your mother* that is bittersweet. This song is my jam, and it hits that serotonin release button. Plus, it fits. Danielle and I have a running joke about me being overbearing; we met on a dating site. We lived in different states. I knew we would be married the first time we exchanged messages.
By CH Sandler4 years ago in Pride
Hate Crime
Curt is kind of conservative. He’s not a big fan of the whole P-Town party scene. So, picking somewhere sensible to meet is always a bit of a challenge. After considering the limited options, the Squealing Pig was about as middle of the road as I could come up with. Some locals, some tourists, some gay, and some straight. Far from perfect, but it would do.
By Robert Reilly4 years ago in Pride
Searching For My Word
There is a certain word that I find repulsive, and that is concerning. There’s nothing wrong with this word or its definition, it’s more so a personal reflection that makes me feel this disgust. In fact, it is a word that defines me, but the word, that which leaves a distasteful pallet, just sounds, well, gross. Trashy and tacky to my tongue, leaving the question as to if it is really the word or if it is that I am repelled by myself. If I am truly repulsed for being defined by such a harmless word, then what can I do to gain pride in this and have satisfaction in knowing that it describes me? Unfortunately, as I sit here writing this, admitting it to myself, the repulsion takes over. What if I could find a new word to replace this? Would that make it any better? Could it be, by writing this, by the end, that I will no longer feel this way?
By Stevi Vaughn4 years ago in Pride
The Social Construction Of Gender And Gender Roles
Adhering to the ascribed roles of society, humanity tends to protect, nurture, and propagate gender-based identities, believing them to be inherent and biological in their nature. However, all it takes is for one to raise the question, the question of how society ascribes certain roles to an individual. The answer to such a question unravels layers of the discursive phenomenon that collectively contribute towards the construction of such specific roles. Exploration of the social construction of gender not only enables us to decipher the founding constructs of society and the roles of their members, but it also allows us to deeply comprehend how such phenomenon influences a person’s behaviour, thinking patterns, or at large freedom of a person.
By Syed Zain Ali Gardezi4 years ago in Pride
The Power of 2 Words
There is no better feeling than letting go. Dropping the facade, you created and showing the world your true face. I have never been able to truly show who I am in the past. I felt that I was a piece of clay where I could just simply mold myself into a different being. Even though I have always changed to adapt to new people or cushion my personality, my true self has always stayed. I’ve come to be able to present myself as I always wanted, but it certainly took time and a lot of help.
By Justin Medina4 years ago in Pride
