 |
| Facebook cover I use for my profile. It's the Demisexual Flag. More on that later on. |
Today marked the official start to the second annual Pride Week in Lunenburg County, although people from Queens and Shelburne counties were there, as well as Halifax.
We
had a lot of fun last year as spectators. I saw a lot of great people I knew,
and met a lot I hadn’t.
This year was a bit different. Instead of sitting with my husband and son, watching the parade, I decided to participate as an independent walker, showing off my pen name and how I was a part of the community – more on that later!
Before
I describe the day, I want to send a huge THANK YOU to Lunenburg PRIDE – Lunenburg Co.
for hosting and organizing this week’s long list of fun events for all ages!
South Shore Public Libraries hosted a “make your pride sign” in the parking lot for Gow’s Home Hardware, which is on High Street, and across from the Lunenburg Campus of the Nova Scotia Community College – where the floats for the parade were being lined up and more. I made a sign using my still rusty drawing skills (no one cared about how pretty the art was, as long as we had fun!) with my pen name on it, with a rainbow, and a lot more. It hung around my neck while I walked, so people could see it. It didn’t always show but it was still fun to wear it and show my pride of being me.
A
huge THANK YOU to the Bridgewater
Police Department for looking out for all of us today. All of my fellow walkers and the officers know what I’m talking about.
One
person from the library was really kind to me, talking to me and asking me if I
was published yet, and if she could find my books online. MARILYN – THANK YOU! It was really nice to be included and
make a new friend, one who accepts all of us in the community and more
unconditionally. She and I walked together, chatting and having fun with the rest
of the walkers. I loved it!
Of
course, my son and husband were watching from the sidelines and my son was so
excited to see me. He was yelling and laughing so loudly that others were
smiling and clapping at him. It was awesome.
Once
we left the “sensory free zone” (no music or loud noises for people with
auditory sensitivities and younger children), the Bookmobile (our mobile
library) started cranking out the tunes – mostly queer artists like Elton John,
Queen, and Lady Gaga. Every time we had to pause for a few minutes – like the
gent from the local Lion’s Club’s mini tractor stalling at least once – we’d
dance in place, talk with the spectators, wave our pride flags and so much
more.
The
trek itself started on High Street, went down Empire Street toward the LaHave
River, and turned right on King Street to end at the bottom of Dufferin Hill,
just past Wonderland
Milkshake & Smoothie Bar.
How
appropriate that “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga was played at one point… You do
not have to listen to dance music to appreciate just how talented Lady Gaga
truly is, and appreciate that particular song. It is one that resonates deeply
with me, for several reasons… I’m Indigenous. I was born that way, and I’m
proud to be an Indigenous Canadian woman… I’m proud to be neurodivergent. I’m
also proud of how far I’ve come as a person, a mom, a wife, and an author, as well
as an ultra-rusty artist.
That
said…
Today
wasn’t just our second annual Pride Parade and my first ever public appearance
as V.J. Allison at any event in our area…
It
was my official public coming out as Asexual, notably Demisexual.
I
proudly wore my asexual flag as a cape and it flittered around me as I walked
the parade route.
 |
| Asexual flag with the caption of "HAPPY PRIDE!" |
It was such a freeing feeling to do that, to show the world I am Proudly Asexual!
Definition
of Asexual from Healthline (https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-asexual)
“Someone who is asexual experiences little to no sexual attraction.
Sexual
attraction, in basic terms, means you find a specific person sexually
appealing and want to have sex with them.
Asexual people, who might use the term “ace” or “aces”
for short, typically don’t experience sexual attraction or want to pursue
sexual relationships with other people.
That said, being asexual means different things to
different people.
Some people might only experience sexual attraction in
very limited circumstances. For example, someone who is demisexual — which
some say falls under the asexual umbrella — experiences sexual attraction only
when they experience a deep connection.
To put it another way, they might only feel sexually
attracted to people in the context of a loving romantic relationship.
Some people might not experience any sexual attraction
and still choose to have a sexual relationship.
To put it simply, everyone has a different experience
with being asexual, and there’s no single way to be asexual.”
We aces weren’t really included with anyone because a
lot of people do not understand how someone doesn’t experience attraction
toward another person of the gender(s) they prefer. So being accepted by the
rest of the LGBT+ community is a huge thing for us. It seems that our fellow
queers love and appreciate us, just like we love and appreciate them and their
support.
I honestly didn’t realize I’m ace until recently, and
when I clued in, it was a relief. Yes, I think there are beautiful people out
there, lots of them, but I am not attracted to celebrities or want to have “relations”
with them like others do. I’m perfectly happy not experiencing anything like others
do, and happily romantic with the spouse.
I was born this way and dammit, I love being me.
I also love knowing I’ve helped other people in the
community somehow, somewhere along the lines.
On King Street, a group of teens asked me if my flag
was the asexual one, and they got excited when they realized they had met a cis
woman who was asexual – like they are. We chatted for a bit and walked across
the Old Bridge together, toward the mall. It was so wonderful to meet them, and
I hope to see them again in the future. Maybe at next year’s parade or another
event. (Much love to all of you, thanks for walking with me after the parade!)
I’m exhausted, burned to a crisp (I do not tan, I fry
in the sun!), and ready to crash but all in all, it was an almost perfect day.
The only thing that could have ruined it was more rain… Or the sun coming out.
It was hot walking the route, temperatures were over 25 C and with the humidex/heat
index, it felt closer to 30 C. I felt so bad for the one person walking in their
full costume, a really sweet person who I had the luck to say hi to and walk
with during the parade. I was hot just wearing jeans, a t-shirt and my flag.
Thank heavens the organizers were handing out tons of water, and I had some
with me from home!
 |
| Sunburned, and it's only getting redder! |
A huge thank you to the following groups for making our second annual
Pride Parade a success, and tons of fun!
South Shore Public Libraries
Bridgewater Town Police
Bridgewater Fire Department
Municipality of the District of
Lunenburg
Halifax Pride
Town of Bridgewater
Wonderland Milkshake & Smoothie Bar
And so many more!!!
And a huge thank you to Lunenburg PRIDE – Lunenburg CO. for organizing
and hosting this fun and amazing event!
I can’t wait until next year!
I leave all of you with a song that always resonated
loudly with me… Born This Way by the great Lady Gaga – who is also LGBT+ and a
fellow chronic pain warrior!
Happy Pride Week, Lunenburg County!
No comments:
Post a Comment