Name: Christopher
Location: Eugene, OR
I Identify as….Gay
What does Pride mean to you?
As I get older, I’ve realized that Pride is an ongoing, fluid and ever-changing feeling that broadens and means more and more with life’s experiences. Beginning with my upbringing in Alabama, my origin of Pride was knowing I eventually shared my authentic self and, despite the climate in attitude towards LGBTQIA people, I resolved to love myself and be an example. While living in NYC, I began to meet older gay men who would share history and personal stories regarding the evolution of our community and rights which opened my eyes to a whole new appreciate for the past and present. As I’m aging, now Pride is my opportunity to pass along the message and torch, to be a leader in the movement, and to watch over the hearth of progress until the next generation is ready to continue the work. I’m also extremely proud to be in a season and place in my life where I comfortably project pride and authenticity in my everyday interactions. This is extremely impactful because I’m working so much onstage, in tv and in interview and podcasting. This can leave an impression on people who might not interact with the LGBTQIA community on a normal basis. Especially in the entertainment world. Representation can change hearts and mind. There is so much to be proud of.
How do you identify, and how do you see yourself within the LGBTQIA+ community?
I identify as a cis gay man. I’m extremely comfortable with the feminine side of my personality and gender. Im actually proudest of the feminine side because of the strong female influence in my life that has led me to feel I stand in the most power when channeling the feminine side. I use he/him pronouns mostly. I am comfortable being referred to as she/her by friends. Throughout my career I’ve had multiple lucrative opportunities that required me to wear costuming that presented as female. I hosted a male stripper review (don’t worry! It was crew members and very PG-13) on a cruise ship where ai was a performer in the production shows. I had a whole drag persona. I was in a movie in the late nighties where I played a non- binary/ trans character. Something I would never do now as we learn and grow. I’ve covered female roles in emergency situations for shows that Inhave choreographed by going in and doing their role at the very last minute.
When did you first attend a Pride event? Can you share that experience?
My first Pride experience was running from Radio City Music Hall, where I worked as a dancer, over to 5th Avenue on a quick break to stand and watch the Pride parade as it came by. I remembered being overwhelmed, of course, by a he costumes, music, sounds, glitter, and excess. But I also stood watching from the sidewalk and, during a lull in the parade, realized there was a cis/hetero family in front of me. The mom and dad each had a child on their shoulders. I remember being touched at the expression of support and the effort to show their children LGBTQ expressions of love. Stirring when you realize there are other parents pushing legislation to hide our community from sight.
How do you feel when you attend LGBTQIA+ events like Pride?
At this age, I feel a multitude of things. I’m there to support the organizers and vendors. I’m attending to reinforce how important it is to show up. I’m fellowshipping and sharing stories with others. I’m getting my cup filled by watching generations all interact and celebrate commonality. I’m buying from queer vendors. I’m supporting the arts in our community. . . I’m also letting go, having a cocktail and enjoying being present and extremely happy at where we are today. It can’t all be serious. A girl’s gotta let loose with the gays.
What is the importance to you that Pride represents?
The way society and politics have controlled us for decades is by instilling and reinforcing a feeling in us of shame regarding our authentic selves. Pride is the antidote to shame. It’s coming out and stepping into the light and also reaching back to help the next person out of the closet and into the truth. When you have a platform such as being a high profile person in the entertainment industry, or a social media presence you have to capitalize on every moment as an opportunity to change hearts.
What can we do as a community to bring us together more and make us stronger?
100% real talk – we need to check ourselves in terms of complacency, comfortability, and settling into a world where we have gay marriage and certain rights. Particularly cis gay men. Many members of our community, especially the ones with privileges that shield them from social and political impacts, don’t engage on behalf of others. We take for granted that we’ve been getting married since 2015. That’s a huge milestone. But there’s work for us and especially other letters in the alphabet that we owe our commitment to the continued work. We have to continue to fight for women, trans people, and groups who are being targeted as pawns in the distraction of political theater. We also need to work on our internalized homophobia, the fact that racism and bias, both intentional and unintentional, are still heavily present. We can’t live in denial that we present these learned behaviors even though we are part of a marginalize and oppressed group. The work continues for everyone else.
What comments do you have for the other letters of our community (L)(G)(B)(T)(Q)(I)(A)(+)?
I see you. We see you. I am alert, positioned and ready to do my part to protect you and fight for your rights as you did for me.
