Words for PRIDE and to End Prejudice

I hung my first PRIDE flag on my wall the other day. I have wanted a flag for years, but for some reason, it was important to me that it present a message beyond my belonging to the community, which is so important to me. I have been searching my mind for the longest time to find the right message on the flag. I have searched the internet for a flag with the right words displayed across the banner. Then a difficult conversation prompted me to craft my own custom flag.

I dream of the day when we can find an end to prejudice. I know we may never see that day, but as one embedded in the battle of diversity, equity, and inclusion, I constantly look for ways to open that door. I acknowledge my part in the prejudice cycle and my entitlement as a secure, white individual, which continues the discrepancies. I also recognize the discrimination that I face daily as a transgender lesbian woman.

I think it starts with these recognitions and acknowledgments, and then acting upon them to make change and to make a personal effort to do better. I was having a conversation about prejudice with an individual who believed that if a person came from a place of love, then there was no prejudice. I tried to explain that love was important, but it was open minds and a willingness to have compassion that might open the door to an end to prejudice. This person went on to state that they loved me and there was no prejudice between us. If only they knew what they were saying.

This conversation started me thinking. What is it that is really important? I do agree that love and acceptance are important values. I agree that these are things that lead to a sense of peace and serenity. But what do we truly need to find a place of openness, inclusion, and equity? These thoughts led me to the words that are now printed on my PRIDE flag. On my wall today, I have a Transgender flag with the words “Love and Acceptance are Beautiful! Open Minds and Questions are Magic!” I believe these words. I do understand that there is work that must accompany all of this. Simply having an open mind will accomplish nothing. Accountability, personal effort to change, and community commitment and effort to improve, a desire and commitment to implement change, are essential for these words to have meaning. But I believe these words as a place to start.