Face Everything And Rise

Dear Community, 

It’s no breaking news that we are living in scary times. The headlines this week are heartbreaking for humanity. 

It’s hard to go about our normal life with tragic current events happening in the world around us. And yet, we get up and we go. We take care of our families and ourselves. We must do so, even if we are terrified. For those of us living under layers of marginalized intersectionality, fear can feel like our natural state. But take heart, there’s more than one way to think about fear. 

In my childhood, I was told the old adage that fear is “False Evidence Appearing Real.” As I got older, I realized that there’s nothing false about the threats surrounding us. The danger is very real, and platitudes won’t save us. Neither will saying “Forget Everything and RUN!”

Fortunately, I have learned a new approach to fear. I transmute it towards courage by deploying this borrowed affirmation whenever I feel afraid: 

“Face Everything and Rise!”

That is the brave choice. And that is the only choice to disrupt the systems designed to suppress and oppress us in the LGBTQ+ movement. Pride exists today because of our queer ancestors and elders who chose to face the threats of homophobia and transphobia, and rise against them by aligning, mobilizing, getting big, and getting loud. We continue to rise, in the protest and in the party. We do it scared. 

If you feel afraid, it doesn’t mean you are weak; it means you’re paying attention. There’s no need to deny it, or hide from it. Fear serves a purpose to those who know how to use it well.

We can face it. And the good news is that together we will rise…and of course, we will shine. 

Pass it on…

KishaLynn 
Executive Director San Diego Pride