Origin
Pride on the Page Day 2
Each of the mini-essays I’m publishing for the month of June are part of a creative challenge to share joy during Pride. You can find out more in the link below. You can even participate, if you’d like!
2. Origin
I went to my very first pride when I was a teenager in high school. It was on a Sunday, which meant I had to suffer through church first. Ugh. Boring. When I was set to leave, an adult who was always friendly asked me where I was going. I lied.
“Um… I’m meeting up with some friends today. Downtown I think.”
“Oh! Would you like a ride? I’m heading toward downtown Seattle.”
“Sure?”
I mean, riding in a car with AC or waiting for a hot city bus? Easy choice. And she really was a nice person, which was tough for me to find in adults when I was that age. We chatted about nothing in particular on the way. I was terrified she would find out I was headed for the pride parade and festival on Capitol Hill. So I tried to shift the attention back to her as cover.
“Where are you going?” I asked.
She lit up. “It’s an accordion group I’m in.”
Awkward pause.
“Hey,” she smiled, “did you know it’s the pride parade today up here?” We were turning past a sign for the event. “I haven’t been to pride in years. Are you and your friends going?”
“Like… maybe?” I squeaked out.
After all, there’s nothing more embarrassing than being in an accordion group, so maybe it wasn’t the worst thing to tell her I was gay and going to my first pride. I didn’t actually say it out loud, but she knew. And she made it feel okay.
Your trans friend,
Robin
"After all, there’s nothing more embarrassing than being in an accordion group..." That puts a whole new spin on things, Robin! 😂
I think that a group of QT accordionists (is that a word?) need to storm the White House, Capitol Hill, and SCOTUS during Pride month. Accordion playing needs a glow-up, and that would make for a powerful coalition, no? ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🪗