On Sunday, we were riding the Metro to DC and a large group of women got on the train. It was World Pride DC Weekend, and they were obviously in town celebrating. Rainbow fans, little cute face temporary tattoos, T-shirts, and a closeness only a certain fellowship can conjure.
Happily headed to wherever their next destination was, and happily chatting and laughing together. And it made me very happy to see such happiness.
At the next stop, a very large man got on the train and he began a diatribe.
"To all the Homos and Lesbos on this train," he yelled. "How the hell did you get on this planet?"
A hush fell over the train car, just for a second. And all the girls started back to talking and laughing. Louder. Ignoring him.
I could not hear more of what the guy said, he was far enough away, and was yelling and ranting but his hate could not match the strength of the loudness of a Metro Car. A drag queen, partially done up but obviously planning to complete her getup once she got to her destination, engaged with him. With smiles, and love, and no fighting back. The guy was belligerent and the queen composed. Like a Queen should be.
Turning to the two girls sitting behind me, I said "oh I am so sorry about this in my city. He's a jerk." They laughed and said they'd heard stuff like this all weekend. They asked what wonderful thing were we doing that day. We told them about Hen's rock concert and they thought it was delightful. I invited them to come see. But. They were off to meet up with some friends at a brewery. I asked which one, and let them know DC has a GREAT gay owned/veteran owned brewery in NOMA, and it is one of my top two faves in DC.
They were super excited to hear about that, and one girl got her phone out to look it up and make note of it.
Before I got off the train, I turned around again and said, "I love you. Just know that. I'm an old Cis-het privileged white lady who if that guy stepped up to you, I'd stand between you and him. I've done it before. I'll do it again. Please have fun. Please enjoy the day. Happy Pride."
They all beamed and smiled and said "Happy Pride to you too!"
It seemed kind of funny to be wished Happy Pride, but I'll be honest. I'll take it, as an ally to those who recognize when someone is on their side. We can share it.
I don't like co-opting anything like Pride because it doesn't belong to me. I see a lot of kids that grew up with my kids, online, doing Pride things and I know for a fact, ain't none of them queer. Right? They go along to "support" but also, I know they go to just party and festivus with friends.
I have always felt differently. Pride does not belong to me. I don't go to the parades, I don't go to festivities. I feel like "you go on with your super gay selves, you friends, and have fun. I'll be over here."
But okay. Those kids from home, they ally. They flex their friendship and their support. Something I have always felt I'm not entitled to do, really. I'll leave that to the younger kids, and I'll watch quietly from the sidelines and step in in very different ways. But for a moment, it was gifted to me by these oh so beautiful humans on a loud Metro train on a Sunday afternoon.
And, since I didn't challenge that guy, I will say....
How did the homos and lesbos on that train get onto this earth? The very same way you did, sir. And you have no MORE rights on this planet because you are straight, or gendered the way you think you should be. They have no LESS rights than you do because you are the one who is not queer.
The Grace of God all of us got here. Or if you don't buy that, an egg got fertilized by a sperm and science started happening, and someone carried to term that science experiment to become a human (you) and they got here. We all got here, we are here. That's how it happened.
Digits are below.
digits
exercise: 12/12 hours. Treadmill walk/jog. 21 min/1.24 miles. 10k+ steps by bedtime
blood glucose:
8am: 135
5:30pm: 151
10:45pm: 112
food & meds:
8am: phentermine, jardiance
10am: met+glip
11:30am: english muffin w/pb and some bonnie mamans cherry preserves
3pm: 2 baby bell cheeses
6:30pm: pork medallions w/ sweet potatoes and a nice sauce a la Geoff (very very good!)
8:30pm: met+glip
8:30pm: cashews
9:30pm: triscuits + dill dip
white wine+diet ginger ale
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