Empowerment

"Beyond the River"
In a small village nestled along the banks of a mighty river, there lived a young boy named Zayn. His life was simple yet full of joy. He had everything he needed loving parents, a warm home, and the company of his older sister, Layla. The two were inseparable, spending their days by the river, playing, laughing, and dreaming of adventures beyond the horizon.
By Muhammad Hayat9 months ago in Pride
"The Last Light of Zoreon"
"The Last Light of Zoreon" In the year 3098, Earth was no longer the only home for humans. People had moved to many planets in the galaxy. One of those planets was Zoreon a beautiful world with silver trees, blue rivers, and two suns that lit the skies with golden light.
By Muhammad Hayat9 months ago in Pride
The Lion and the Lamb
In the heart of the Great Savannah, where the grass danced in the wind and the sun cast long golden rays across the plains, lived a mighty lion named Asari. His mane flowed like fire, and his roar echoed across the valley. He was feared, respected, and solitary. Animals cleared the path when he walked; no one dared challenge his authority.
By touqeer nasir9 months ago in Pride
Pope Francis: A Life of Service, Compassion, and Justice for the World
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, lived a life full of kindness and strong moral leadership. His passing on April 21, 2025, marked the end of a historic papacy. Pope Francis became a symbol of love, peace, and justice across the globe. His great contributions touched people from all walks of life.
By Adam Smith9 months ago in Pride
EGO: A Smart Perspective, like a double-edged sword
UNDERSTANDING EGO: The simplest definition of ego is the feeling of self, or the "I" that characterizes a person. The ego, which has profound roots in psychology, philosophy, and daily life, serves as a bridge between our inner wants and the outside world.
By Madisetti Raveendra kumar9 months ago in Pride
Sins of Being Seen. Content Warning.
Dedication For every soul who lived loud, soft, scared, or fierce; for every name they tried to erase; for every body that dared to breathe when the world called it sin. This is for you. We are still here. We are still rising.
By S.L. James9 months ago in Pride
Understanding pride: More Than Just a Celebration
Understanding Pride: More Than Just a Celebration Depending on the context, "pride" can mean anything from personal self-esteem to collective celebration. However, in contemporary times, and especially during the month of June, "Pride" has come to symbolize the LGBTQ+ community's struggle for dignity, rights, and recognition. However, to overlook Pride's deeper political and emotional essence is to view it solely as a colorful parade or social media trend. Pride is an ongoing struggle for equality, a declaration of identity, and a protest against oppression. Pride's Origins To understand the true meaning of Pride, one must look back to its origins. The modern LGBTQ+ Pride movement began after the Stonewall Riots in New York City in June 1969. A police raid on the gay bar Stonewall Inn in Manhattan set off these riots, which led to days of protest by the LGBTQ+ community against constant harassment and police brutality. In honor of this act of resistance, the first Pride march was held a year later. What began as a protest has now grown into a global movement. As a Protest, Pride Even today, Pride remains deeply political. LGBTQ+ people still face violence, discrimination, and criminalization in many parts of the world. In over 60 countries, same-sex relationships are illegal, and in several, they are punishable by death. Due to safety concerns, pride celebrations in these nations are either outlawed, heavily censored, or secret. Pride is therefore more than just a celebration; it is also an act of resistance. It is a public assertion of existence in societies that often try to erase queer identities. In addition to waving a rainbow flag, marching in Pride is about reclaiming space, demanding justice, and asserting that love—in whatever form it takes—is a human right. As a Celebration, Pride Pride is also a celebration of identity, love, and community at the same time. It provides a safe environment in which LGBTQ+ individuals can freely and authentically express themselves. The vibrant parades, music, dance, and art that characterize Pride events worldwide are all expressions of joy and resilience. They reflect the diversity and creativity of the LGBTQ+ community, often overlooked in mainstream narratives. Celebrating Pride also helps break down social stigma. When people see others living openly and joyfully, it challenges stereotypes and fosters greater acceptance. Pride can be a beacon of hope and belonging for young queer people, particularly those who struggle with identity or isolation. Political and corporate influence In recent years, Pride has become more commercialized, with major corporations participating in Pride parades and changing their logos to rainbow versions during June. This is criticized as "rainbow-washing," or using the Pride symbol for profit without supporting real change, despite the fact that some view it as evidence of growing acceptance. True allyship requires more than a colorful logo. Fair workplace policies, inclusive education, LGBTQ+ healthcare access, and advocacy for policy reform are just a few examples of the actions that businesses and governments must take to demonstrate their public support. Otherwise, Pride risks losing its radical edge and becoming just another marketing opportunity. Intersectionality in Pride It is also essential to acknowledge the diversity within the LGBTQ+ community. Issues faced by queer people are not the same for everyone. Race, gender, class, disability, and geography all play crucial roles in shaping experiences. Black and brown trans women, for example, face disproportionately high rates of violence. Pride must be inclusive and intersectional to be truly meaningful. It should amplify the voices of the most marginalized within the community, not just those who are more socially accepted or visible. The Way Forward While significant progress has been made in LGBTQ+ rights in many parts of the world—such as legalizing same-sex marriage, adopting anti-discrimination laws, and recognizing non-binary identities—much work remains. Pride is a reminder of both how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go. Empathy and education are essential. Gender and sexuality education should be inclusive in schools. Media should represent diverse queer lives accurately and respectfully. Most importantly, families and communities must provide safe spaces for individuals to be who they are without fear or shame. Conclusion Pride is more than a rainbow flag or a parade—it is a symbol of strength, resistance, love, and hope. It is a reminder that everyone deserves the right to live authentically and safely, no matter who they love or how they identify. Pride boldly declares: we are here, we are proud, and we are not going anywhere in a world that still frequently views queerness as something to be hidden or punished.
By Sabrina 9 months ago in Pride
Sharpen Your Axe: The Quiet Power of Doing Less and Living More
There are days I feel like I’m swinging an axe that gets duller with every chop. I keep going because that’s what we’re told to do—push harder, stay busy, hustle. But I’ve learned something that completely changed the way I look at effort, ambition, and success. And I want to share it with you, not as a lesson from some expert, but as a whisper from one human to another—someone who's also trying to figure this out.
By Naseem Bibi9 months ago in Pride
What I Learned From Gay Culture: No One Will Love Me If...
Can you think of something you learned as a child and later realized it was a lie? The Easter Bunny and Santa Claus come to mind. With them, it’s easy to believe they don’t exist. We may even wonder why we ever held to such outlandish stories.
By Brandon Ellrich9 months ago in Pride
Spring's Gentle Hand
The winter's grip begins to cease, A softer air brings gentle peace. No biting winds that chill us through, But breezes whispering, fresh and new.
By Iftikhar Akram9 months ago in Pride
The Advocate’s Oath
n the quiet corners of the justice system, there lived a man who still believed in truth—not the kind that sat on paper, bound in legal codes, but the kind that was felt deep in the soul. His name was Barrister Asim Raza, a seasoned advocate known not for his victories, but for the cases he chose to fight—ones others wouldn’t touch.
By Ali 9 months ago in Pride
listing queerly
the thing about queer is it's more than a sexuality or gender, it's a declaration. it's not just a personal state of mind,
By kp9 months ago in Pride