Identity
Baseball Is for Everyone: Part 2
Back in January, I wrote a story about baseball being everyone's sport. In other words, America's pastime should be enjoyed by all fans, not just for a select few. My previous story on this topic was one of the Top Stories for that month, which I was very honored. I discussed the origins of Pride Night not only in Major League Baseball, but in other sports leagues. On top of that, I went in on those who were highly opposed to these events. I'll have a link to the original story down below. In this story, I'll be talking about online baseball communities and baseball content creators.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 10 months ago in Pride
I Can Be Both
Greetings, Vocal readers. It's been a while since I've written a story. The following story may ruffle a few feathers and raise a few eyebrows. However, I want everyone to hear me out for a few minutes. Religion is a taboo and touchy subject for most people. Growing up in Texas, I attended church with my family almost every Sunday. When I left home for college years later, I attended a local church, and I loved the people there. Just to remind everyone that this was around 2010: two years before officially coming out as a gay man. At the time, I was still hiding my true self from everyone. When I finally came out in 2012, I repeatedly asked myself this question to myself: "Now that I've come out as gay, will God love me as I am?" Even after I stopped going to that church and then I moved to a new area after I graduated from college, I was still seeking a church that was gay friendly. In the spring of 2013, I found a church in my area that wasn't far from where I was living at the time...or so I thought. I attended that church for a month before leaving it for good. The reason? They were regurgitating anti-gay rhetoric. It broke my heart that people always assume the worst about us when they don't even know us personally. Christians would tell everyone to love one another but would waste no time degrading and dehumanizing gay people at every opportunity. Some, not all, Christians are walking hypocrites. I wouldn't say that I was an Atheist, per se, but I want to be able to accept myself and believe in God at the same time.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 10 months ago in Pride
Gender Affirming Care Isn't Just For Trans People
What is gender affirming care? Upon hearing these words, most people think of the transgender community. It's a phrase most commonly used to refer to the hormones or surgeries taken by trans and non binary people. In the media, this is all it means. Gender affirming care is a range of social, psychological, and medical interventions designed to confirm and support a person's gender identity. In simpler terms, gender affirming care can be anything that makes a person feel more confident in their identity - whether they're trans or not.
By choreomania10 months ago in Pride
It is Too Early to Celebrate Women In Tech
Technology has transformed every aspect of human life, and women have played a crucial role in shaping this digital revolution. However, while the industry boasts of progress in gender diversity, the harsh reality remains: it is too early to celebrate women in tech. The numbers, biases, and systemic barriers reveal that there is still a long way to go before women can truly claim equal space in the industry.
By Ramesh Mahato 11 months ago in Pride
My Sexuality Is Not An Apology
Now that you know who is back in the White House, his hateful and dangerous policies targeting us once again has gotten even worse. He lacks empathy and compassion towards certain groups of people. This manchild has no soul. I refuse to mention him by name, because I've always seen him for who he was: a childish, petty, out of touch individual who hasn't had a dose of reality and refuses to take any responsibility for his actions. It's always everyone else's fault and refuses to do some self reflection. The next four years will be hell and his right-wing policies are becoming more extreme.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 11 months ago in Pride
I’m Not a Boy!
Before anything, I would like to verify that I am a woman. I was born a woman out of my mother’s womb; I was dressed in women’s clothing throughout my childhood, and I have done everything in my life as nothing but a woman. I’ve never wished to become anything other than a woman, though I hold no malice for those who intend to move away or into the gender.
By Gading Widyatamaka11 months ago in Pride
