Happy Pride! Since they limited Pride celebrations this year due to COVID, I figured I would share about my 1st Pride. A colorful and fantastic experience, where I also randomly met famous civil rights activist, John Lewis.
College Students LOVE FREE STUFF
In college a friend asked me and others if we wanted to take part in ATL Pride’s 2015 Parade. All we had to do was walk the entire parade route and throw things into the crowd. Receiving a free t-shirt, breakfast, accessories, etc. for our time and energy. And as many know, college students respond best to offerings of free items, but particularly food, clothing, and useless items.
I knew about the significance of Pride in the LGBTQ+ community before college, despite going to high school in a small town. But never immersed myself in the community, so ATL Pride was a first for me.
I volunteered out of curiosity, boredom, expecting a unique event, of course. It’s Pride!
But came out on the other side with a one-of-a-kind Pride experience. Especially for my first one!
Young, Wild, Free, & Can Walk 1+ Mile In The Streets!
I arrived that morning for instructions and breakfast, amazed on my drive downtown at the joyous different people walking around. Upon realizing how long the route was, a shiver of fear came upon me. But Wiz Khalifa came to my mind saying, “we’re young, wild, and free.”
Before the parade started, we ran into a person holding a sign saying, “love conquers fear y’all,” and took a picture with him. Which was the first of many unique, amazing experiences and photo opportunities I got from Pride that year.
While walking the parade, I saw many people from my college, since it was minutes away from downtown. The parade ended in Piedmont Park, where I wandered with the person I was dating.
Suddenly, though, he looked up and saw John Lewis, suggesting we ask for a picture.
I knew who John Lewis was and his importance, so I expected to just see him from afar. Even having gotten my phone ready to take a picture with a ridiculous zoom.
But John Lewis ended up being incredibly kind and sincere, talking with us even after the picture. With me, still to this day wondering why and how I randomly bumped into him in Piedmont Park!
