Yesterday I returned from an amazing cruise on Atlantis. Seeing as it was a Pride cruise, the 7 day trip served as a good reminder to be myself and celebrate the uniqueness of others around me. Inclusion is my favorite aspect of the Pride movement, but celebrating it on a dance floor is a very close 2nd. And after 7 days of dancing, although a bit sore, I wasn’t disappointed at all with the events. 🕺✨
The trip also served as a good reminder not to mind those who judge, make assumptions, and gossip about others to suit their prejudices and agendas, which like many of us I’d encountered over the years within the gay community, especially when I was heavier.
When it comes to Pride, to be clear – I came to this party to celebrate love, life, and inclusion. Although it took me too many years to realize differently – If someone chooses to live otherwise and make me feel less than, that’s their burden to carry and lesson to learn, not mine. In the meantime, step aside. I’m here to dance.
My experiences as a gay man over the years serve as a good reminder to anyone seriously committed to the Pride movement. If you celebrate inclusion under the rainbow flag and welcome all to the cause, your misty eyed sentiments hold no merit under the condition of ‘so long as you know your place’. That makes you a hypocrite, and as far as I’m concerned, while you’re welcomed on this dance floor – you are irrelevant to the cause you claim to champion and a waste of my time. Sparkle, wit, and an impeccable ass only get you so far in life. If our history has taught us anything, this dance floor is intended for the brave, not the trite; snark, judgement, and petty agendas aren’t welcomed here, or at least they shouldn’t be under a rainbow banner. Real champions of this cause are made of character and conviction (the sparkle, wit, and impeccable ass are just an added bonus).
Thank you again Atlantis and to the DJ(s) who consumed my hours on the dance floor, especially Dan Slater (my personal favorite 🤩🎶✨). You all gave me the escape I needed, and I couldn’t be more grateful. 🚢🥰🎶
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