Silver Spring’s annual Plaza event was held on Sunday to celebrate the LGBTQ community and highlight inclusion and resilience.
“Today means to include. It means building resilience, love,” said Robyn Woods, programme and outreach director for Live in Your Truth, who organized the event. “So we’re just surrounded by our community, so many great entrepreneurs and business owners, we’re just part of this rainbow coalition called LGBTQIA.”
As the event is organised for the first time for your true live show, Woods said he felt emotionally to see the support and love at the event.
“Some people take their children, babies and grandparents out,” Woods said. “We’re far more allies here than anything. That type of support means support from my community, but also support outside, support inside, support around, so much love.
Event participants could head to the Family Fan Zone, a Pride Cooldown Lounge with air conditioning, or watch a live drag performance in the main stage area.
In addition to entertainment and shaved ice stands, there were rows of information standing along the square, including FreeState Justice, Washington Spirit, Trans Maryland, Moco Pride Center, and organizations providing support, therapy, education and resources to the LGBTQ community.
“I want people to know about our services and I love what we have to offer,” said Jessica Simon, a psychotherapist at the Heartwood Program’s Gender Wellness Clinic. “I want to be part of a community celebration too (and again), so it feels good to be here with others who want to give something to the community.”
She added that what she called “an antidote to shame” in today’s political climate is important to celebrate pride.
“There are a lot of devils of LGBTQI people,” said Siena Iakvazzi, a facilitator at Maryland Trans Unity. “(Pride) is part of the healing process.”
Iacuvazzi said she was taught to be embarrassed about her growing up, but being part of the community helped her to thrive in the future.
“I was taught how to hate myself. I was taught that I was hatred of God,” she said. “But being a community is like understanding that there are people who have gone through the same thing, and they are thriving. They are thriving because they are willing to stand up for themselves as humans, discover themselves, and understand the truth in themselves.”
She added that pride allows mutual understanding to occur.
“It’s a more sense of belonging…and just bring it home and realise that you’re not alone,” Iakvazzi said. “We are each on our own journey. We don’t put it on each other. It’s just leaving with belongings and humanity’s sense.”
Like Iacuvazzi, Woods said he hopes that participants’ biggest takeaways will be family, fun, resilience and pride.
“I’m proud of myself and pleased with who you are and how important it is,” she continued. “And all these young people walking here can see their own versions, but they can get older. They can see many different lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual people who are successful.
Source: Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News – www.washingtonblade.com
