June is Pride month, and I think that is terrific. There is still so much stigma around orientation and sexual preference that activities promoting equality both with orientation but in all ways is a good thing. Apex is holding their annual Apex Pride event this Saturday, June 11, 2022. Heather and I have decided to volunteer our time for a few hours at the event to help support the cause. If you’re in the area come on by and say hello.
I will admit that given the state of violence in our country these days, particularly gun violence, coupled with how heated people seem to get about the LGBTQ+ community, I have taken pause about the safety at the event this weekend. There were apparently already threats of violence due to one of the features which has now been cancelled because of the threats. Yes, even in Apex, NC there are very real fears around hate and violence.
I considered whether or not I wanted to go to this event because of the potential for danger. Mass shootings have proven that it can happen in Anywhere, USA. That said, I decided in the end that I will take the risk. The event organizers are doing some checking on volunteers and registering them with the Apex PD as a safety precaution. But really my decision to go through with attending and volunteering is because it is more important to promote equality than it is to be fearful for safety. People felt the same way about marches for equality led by the Black Lives Matter movement a couple years ago. It’s important, and we won’t live in fear.