Pride NYC: Love Wins

Attending the Gay Pride Parade 2017 truly was an eye opener for me. I walked around soaking in the moment and taking part in the dancing, singing, and pure happiness. This was the first time I had ever been to this parade or any type of event catering to celebrating the LGBTQ community. Going to the parade, observing the people there, and reflecting afterwards opened up a whole new understanding of relationships for me.

A saying/hashtag that stood out to me the most was “lovewins”. At first when I saw it I didn’t think much of it, but after connecting all the dots of the representation of this month, the people walking around, the music, and the human interaction, was when I experienced this awakening. Love is love and that’s all that matters. Yes, this is something I have always believed and heard people express when discussing the LGBTQ community. But, there is nothing like truly having an “ah ha” moment when everything really makes sense from the inside out.

In society today there are a lot of standards and judgments when it comes to being in a relationship with someone. Everyone has an opinion on whose dating whom, why he shouldn’t date her, and why she should be with this person instead. At the end of the day love is love, in all shapes, sizes, and forms. When it comes to love all that

matters is the connection two individuals share with one another.

From this experience I could tell already that everyone was extremely accepting. Nobody was concerned about what the next person was doing or how they looked. Everyone was just having a good time; people weren’t putting in the extra effort to give someone a dirty look or to put them down.

This parade is basically a celebration of similarities, love, peace, and freedom. I

saw many unique couples; people you wouldn’t expect to be together. But regardless of their “non-ideal” attributes they still were together, love was their glue.

The Take Away:

A lot of times we allow other peoples opinions to control who we love and how we love. If the connection is there, then screw what other people think and expect. If the person you are with makes you happy, treats you with respect, motivates you, keeps you safe, and so on then continue on with your relationship and be happy. Don’t let bitter, angry people keep you from your happiness. Never allow someone else to rip joy away from you because of their beliefs. At the end of the day, if anyone is going to be uncomfortable don’t let it be you…

This one is for you

The Models:

(Click the image for a direct link to Instagram accounts)