Why to be proud?

Balance_Rng, ESAI EN ROI Volunteer; Candidate Youth Worker || FR

ESC individual volunteering be SUSTAINABLE SPORTIVE & CULTURAL project  03/01/2026 to 03/07/2026 2024-1-EL02-ESC51-VTJ-000200188

Hi,

Today we will extend from our typical topics. I will write about the Pride month, the Queer community and the Thessaloniki's pride we attend with Esai en Roi.

I want (need) to talk about it because it still trigger me to hear the famous :"but why do you need to be on the streets where my child can see you ( LGBTQ+ peoples), I don't care what you do in private but don't show yourself." It is insulting and irresponsible, and I will explain why here.

Don't expose yourself

Pride, in the context of LGBTQ culture, (also known as queer pride, gay pride) is the promotion of the rights, self-affirmation, dignity, equality, and increased visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people as a social group. Pride, as opposed to shame and social stigma since 1969 riots in Stonewall.

To be visible and acknowledge is indispensable not to be harassed, discriminated, beaten or killed by those who believes we should not be tolerated for how we express ourself and love each others. Pride also became a moment of festivities, where freedom and creativity are express without fear.

The queer culture raise from underground loves and friendships. In places and periods where lesbian are rape to be cure and trans peoples beaten to be teaches whats a 'true' men/women.

The violence from the systemic discrimination against Queer people reached the point of rebellion and demands for permission to live and love. The word 'Queer' comes from an old insult made toward the LGBT+ community. The community choose to wear it as a pride and became proud to be Queers.

Not so easy to be proud

Homophobia didn't stop the day the community took a name. And the personal journey to become proud of who you are and who you love may take many years, never appears nor be a fight since the early ages. This journey includes genders identity and sexuality orientations awareness. But to reduce the Queer movement and cultures by those (important) aspects, would probably not be pertinent nowadays.

Trans and Palestinian flag along side during the 2026 Thessaloniki's pride

This structure ( common culture, association, trusted circles..) helps, now and before, other discriminated communities to be heard. The Queers militants also are supporting the fight for women's rights. They organize the sexual prevention, about violence or diseases. They stand against all form of racism and participate to establish a more equitable world.

The movement is for a great part structured by the most repressed peoples of the community, transgenders. To express a gender regardless our genitals seems to be the most brutal things to do because it occur the most brutal responses. Trans people strength is essential and to protect them also. Many lies have been told. Many disinformation about the queer community. To show ourself instead of staying hidden is a better way to survive. Because it allow us to oppose the insults and the de-information,

A reason to be queer ?

Queer flag at the head of the Thessaloniki's parade

As ultimate paragraph, for a topic I'd love to write many, I'd like to explore the future and the purpose we seek for all. It is firstly important to say that a cis-gender and hetero-sexual person can be queer. I nowadays believe that queerness is the mark of those who praise freedom to be and love. To explore genders and sexualities is an important work we collectively have to think about so we don't end up locked in dogmas telling us how and who to love. As example, I am relieve that we can enjoy sexuality without seeking reproduction. It was (is) a fight in Europe to win this freedom against catholic dogma. I personally believe many fights still have to be fought and am happy to be surrounded by queers in the melee.

Balance_Rng writing for Artivia's blog