While pride month is over, the exhibition of pride will continue. It continues here at QueerJoe (as always) and in my day-to-day life.

Pride Month is Over – Pride Isn’t

One of my favorite social media conversations starters from a gay group was, “What was your first gay bar?” When I read all the responses, I realized the real question was disguised. The real question was, “When did you first feel a part of a supportive community?”

That’s why I was grateful to read Fred’s comment on my last blog entry.

“Thank you, Joe, for your coming out story so succinctly yet movingly told. Though I’m a few years older, I still recall in great detail the first time I marched in what was then called The Christopher Street Liberation March. I believe it was the second commemorative demonstration, not a parade as it has since become. We marched north from the West Village up Fifth Avenue. The most stirring memory of that day was stopping in front of the NY Public Library at 42nd Street, turning back to view a sea of folks all the way down the slope downtown. I was fortunate to grow up in NYC, having graduated from high school just before the Stonewall riots. Little mention of the facts except in the Village Voice.”

Perhaps an equally good conversation starter would be “What is your first memory of being part of LGBTQIA+ history?”

I answer most of these questions for myself in The Fabric We Make. These stories detail why I considered myself an outsider, which is an important component to creating community.

Keep on priding y’all.

Current Knitting

I was able to finish the pride hat (in June).

It turned out great with the rainbow panel surrounded by the charcoal gray yarn at the bottom and top.

I also started making a sock using my recent handspun.

I’m using helical knitting to blend the dark yarn with my handspun, and I’m loving the fabric it’s making.