Milton Pride Fest to take place Saturday

The country’s capital welcomed the world land last weekend. This is a massive celebration that usually takes place every two years in another city.

Saturday’s parade attracted hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world and from the country. In Delaware, a few hours drive from DC, parade attendees hosted a bus day trip by Camp Rehoboth Beach’s LGBTQ community center.

Hope Vera sat on the board and marched with Camp Rehoboth. Bella said the parade took a long time to start and the temperature was hot, but she said she was “above the clouds” because she was there.

“It didn’t matter how long it took to get started. There was a current change in diversity and inclusion, so I wanted a face there,” Bella said. “My life is an intersection. I’m a black woman. I’m a lesbian and I have obstacles. All of this is about to be erased. I didn’t care how long it took. I didn’t care about finishing the parade.

Bella said everyone was so happy to interact with the crowd that the almost two-mile parade route didn’t feel long. The group handed out beads, buttons and pins to parade the observers.

“The celebration of world pride gave me hope because so many people came out, and the joy and love that was between us gave me hope,” Bella said.

Bella said people with disabilities are often overlooked. More than one in four Americans have disabilities. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States.

“I said it’s important to be there, as a black woman, as a lesbian, as a woman with a disability and not hiding,” Bella said.

Retired Major General Tammy Smith was involved in Camp Rehoboth and marched with a coalition of LGBTQ military members. Smith said he was walking to give trans soldiers visibility and remind people why they were serving.

“When we can’t see, it’s stereotypes that are allowed on our behalf,” Smith said. “And without visibility, people think that all veterans are conservative and perhaps not open to perfect equality. Without visibility, you might think that a small state with a farming background might be an unwelcome place, but meeting people who actually come from those places allows those stereotypes and true credibility to move forward.”

During the parade, Smith said he saw members of the parade’s trans army making eye contact or fist clashes with trans people in the crowd.

“They were seen. Both sides were seen during that parade, and I felt privileged to witness it,” Smith said.

Smith said Delaware is a state of freedom and equality, and is the first for reasons. The LGBTQ community is ingrained as part of life in the Rehobos and the Lewis area.

“What pride means to me is that we have to do what is necessary to maintain our dignity as a community,” Smith said. “We can’t influence what people with negative messages are throwing our way and the celebration of pride. I don’t think it’s self-promotion. I see it as an act of dignity and strength.”