Erin, this is beautiful. A testament to all--from birds to queer alike. I am grateful you have taken up birding--for we need more of you "young people" (yes, I get to say that, at age 65!!) tuning in to how incredibly amazing our birds are and the need to protect them. So aligned with all the challenges LGBTQAI+ have been facing. Thank you for all you do and this particular post. I will be sharing. Happy Pride!
What a great read to start my day. The entire I was reading your post I was remembering your wedding post. This grandma values both you and your wife and all your contributions to preserve, protect and promote rights for all. I am an ally and "Erin In The Morning" and members of this group motivate me to do more!
It’s a shame that so many members of the LGBTQ+ community still feel they have to stay hidden, and in doing so may be missing out on friendships, connections, and even family members who already know and are simply waiting to embrace them for who they are.
This Pride Month, I hope more people find the courage to step into the light, live authentically, and join the countless others who are helping make our community stronger, more visible, and more united. No one should have to hide who they are. Happy Pride Month!
Again this year my wife and I will join our trans granddaughter in a pride parade and help her celebrate who she is
An especially beautiful essay today, Erin. I hadn't placed you in Montana, and the mention of Missoula made me wonder if you've crossed paths with another Montana essayist, Chris La Tray/An Irritable Metis. I ask because I'm recently drawn to the Two Spirit history among many Indigenous nations, and wonder if you've written about this or otherwise engaged it yourself.
I'm not quite sure when my first Pride was... mid-'90s, maybe earlier, in London. I came out in '84, at university but it took me several years to find my community. Was I hand-in-hand with a boyfriend, or just with a crowd of gay friends? I don't remember. That crowd of friends, from the uk.glb Usenet newsgroup, used to meet in the park, go on the march through London, and then gather in another park for a picnic, and some of us would end up in one of the relatively queer-friendly pubs for a few drinks before heading home, uplifted but exhausted. Some of us would also take the train to Paris a week later and march through the streets to the big festival/party in the evening. London always felt more political, Paris always more of a celebration. Various boyfriends, sometimes girlfriends. Then I emigrated to the San Francisco area and Pride there always felt too big, too crowded, too corporate in a way, so I stopped going. Then my partner and I moved to a small Bay Area town that had a wonderful little Pride festival that was very family-friendly and welcoming, so we went almost every year. A friend of mine from England was visiting us one year with his daughter, so we attended -- his daughter's first Pride! A year ago, we moved to N.E. Ohio for my upcoming retirement, and we were concerned about how Pride would feel in a red state, but there are multiple local events through June and July, and so we volunteered with Free Mom Hugs at the Warren Pride, and it felt wonderful! So many young folk, who were thrilled to get a Free Dad Hug from an old queer like me... Looking forward to it again this year!
Erin, this is beautiful. A testament to all--from birds to queer alike. I am grateful you have taken up birding--for we need more of you "young people" (yes, I get to say that, at age 65!!) tuning in to how incredibly amazing our birds are and the need to protect them. So aligned with all the challenges LGBTQAI+ have been facing. Thank you for all you do and this particular post. I will be sharing. Happy Pride!
Amazing essay, Erin….thanks for writing and sharing!
7 years transitioned? I hope you feel 7 years old in enthusiasm and energy, 17yo in pretty, and 70yo in wisdom.
Thank you, and more power to you!
What a great read to start my day. The entire I was reading your post I was remembering your wedding post. This grandma values both you and your wife and all your contributions to preserve, protect and promote rights for all. I am an ally and "Erin In The Morning" and members of this group motivate me to do more!
What a beautifully refreshing letter today! You are an invaluable person to so many! Keep "flying"
Beautiful article and every word is so true. I am an amateur birder as well. Birds were around as dinosaurs, so their survival is quite impressive
It’s a shame that so many members of the LGBTQ+ community still feel they have to stay hidden, and in doing so may be missing out on friendships, connections, and even family members who already know and are simply waiting to embrace them for who they are.
This Pride Month, I hope more people find the courage to step into the light, live authentically, and join the countless others who are helping make our community stronger, more visible, and more united. No one should have to hide who they are. Happy Pride Month!
Again this year my wife and I will join our trans granddaughter in a pride parade and help her celebrate who she is
Perfect fir the first day of Pride!
Aw jeez Erin, now I'm all teared up on a Monday morning. What an absolutely beautiful message. Happy Pride!!! 🏳️🌈🦜🏳️⚧️💓
I love this so much. Thank you for a such a beautiful metaphor for all we endure and all there is to celebrate. 💜
I love your double-bird name!
An especially beautiful essay today, Erin. I hadn't placed you in Montana, and the mention of Missoula made me wonder if you've crossed paths with another Montana essayist, Chris La Tray/An Irritable Metis. I ask because I'm recently drawn to the Two Spirit history among many Indigenous nations, and wonder if you've written about this or otherwise engaged it yourself.
I'm not quite sure when my first Pride was... mid-'90s, maybe earlier, in London. I came out in '84, at university but it took me several years to find my community. Was I hand-in-hand with a boyfriend, or just with a crowd of gay friends? I don't remember. That crowd of friends, from the uk.glb Usenet newsgroup, used to meet in the park, go on the march through London, and then gather in another park for a picnic, and some of us would end up in one of the relatively queer-friendly pubs for a few drinks before heading home, uplifted but exhausted. Some of us would also take the train to Paris a week later and march through the streets to the big festival/party in the evening. London always felt more political, Paris always more of a celebration. Various boyfriends, sometimes girlfriends. Then I emigrated to the San Francisco area and Pride there always felt too big, too crowded, too corporate in a way, so I stopped going. Then my partner and I moved to a small Bay Area town that had a wonderful little Pride festival that was very family-friendly and welcoming, so we went almost every year. A friend of mine from England was visiting us one year with his daughter, so we attended -- his daughter's first Pride! A year ago, we moved to N.E. Ohio for my upcoming retirement, and we were concerned about how Pride would feel in a red state, but there are multiple local events through June and July, and so we volunteered with Free Mom Hugs at the Warren Pride, and it felt wonderful! So many young folk, who were thrilled to get a Free Dad Hug from an old queer like me... Looking forward to it again this year!
This is beautiful!! So happy that you’ve become a birder!
What a beautiful essay! I have shared it with my family including my bird-watching daughter and her wife. ❤️
Oh, you are a birder after my own heart!!! I would love to use your photo as my FB cover photo!! Would you grant me permission to do that??
Happy pride!! There is something just so queer about birding and I love it 🦆🕊️🦜🦅🦢🦉🌈🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️