Lately, I seem to be making as many enemies as I am new friends. I don't let it bother me too much, though. This weekend I realized one very important thing: I will not be a lesser version of myself to please anyone, ever. I came to this realization when we battled our way through Sheridan Square Friday night after SCOTUS ruled on marriage equality, where champagne bottles were being popped open in an elbow-to-elbow crowd and love was truly all around; I felt it again Saturday morning when I ran next to 5,000+ athletes in the Pride Run, where people were running in tutus and makeup and drag, and STILL kicking ass; but it finally hit me hard while the fiancee and I were marching/sprinting down 5th Avenue during New York City's Pride Parade. The crowd was incredible. Rainbow flags and equality signs as far as the eye could see. Gay, straight, trans, young, old, cat, dog. It didn't matter. I've never felt energy like that in my entire life—I'm sure I never will again.
What a weekend to finally stand up as a proud, gay, American.