Pride is Joy <3 #pridenyc

Yesterday it was the last day of the NYC's pride month. I went there with my hubby and my friends, and it was amazing, as I expected! ton of people marching together, having fun, enjoying life and bringing their personal stories -couples together since 40 years, that finally got married a couple of years ago. people that, no matter what, resisted, stayed together, waiting for the moment when their love would be finally recognized.

but, and please don't get me wrong, somehow I also had the feeling it is too "easy" to march for equal rights when you are in new York, because well, the City is so open, so diverse, so forward that it is just "easy" to be here, fighting for equal rights. it reminded me of when I was a kid and I marched in my hometown, in Italy. That was tougher. And not because my city is a particularly close minded one (in fact, it is totally the opposite, and I AM PROUD to say that Catania, in Sicily, is recognized as one of the most open minded cities in the whole Europe), but because well, almost twenty years ago it was different (feeling old yet?). And I take pride in seeing my friends all around the world marching, especially in those places where it is not as easy as it is in New York.

So, I asked myself why was I there. Was it just because we, the "leftists/artists/intellectuals" just need to show up in those things?

Then I got the answer. I was on the subway, on my way home, and a black kid saw my pride t-shirt and, with the brightest smile I have ever seen, called me out loud with a "HAPPY PRIDE!!!!".

THIS, is why I march and I will keep marching. Because of those kids who feel safe when they see other people marching for them, with them, sometimes instead of them.

Happy pride everyone.

And remember, whoever you are, YOU ARE WELCOME HERE. <3

#pride #newyork #newyorkpride #pridenyc #nycpride #euqallove #equalrighhts #agirlfromtheislandinnewyork #loveisloveyouarewelcomehere #LGBTQ