Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1437729
STORYTELLING IS a quintessential component of the human experience. When we share our stories, we are touching the deepest, most intimate parts of each other and saying, "I'm listening. I want to understand you. I want to connect with you." Historically, the voices of the LGBTQ community have been, and are still, marginalized in personal, economic, political and representational spheres. LGBTQ stories often face censorship and negativity. Macon, though, is sitting down to listen and to connect with its LGBTQ residents. Two years ago, Macon Pride hosted its first festival in almost 20 years. After a hiatus due to COVID-19, Pride returned this year with a week of activities celebrating LGBTQ culture. Mayor Pro Tem Seth Clark and District 8 Commissioner Virgil Watkins declared the week of Sept. 20-26 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Week, making Pride not just a one-week event in 2021, but an annual celebration going forward. Macon Magazine was proud to be present at 2021 Pride. We were proud to see LGBTQ people shining in all their colors in downtown Macon. We were proud to hear your voices, to collect them and to share them now. Join us as we celebrate our local LGBTQ souls, every day. Messages shared with Macon Magazine's Pride booth: • Be yourself • Love yourself as you are. u are loved. • I would tell my younger self that you are valid and loved, even if you don't see it • You are strong enough to TRANSFORM • Stay Safe! I LUV U! • One Day IT WILL ALL MAKE SENSE • Love is…Me • Live life like it's your last. • I'm still stuck so don't feel ashamed - DENIM • i promise you'll figure it out • Love is trusting and having FUN • you are not ALONE & you are LOVED. Love yourself • there's nothing wrong with you! I LOVE YOU - Amber L. • One day you will be able to be your full self. Stay strong! • it's pride!! and i'm gay!! • allow yourself to be Happy • you'll be okay, I promise • Be unapologetic about who you are. if people don't support you, they don't deserve you. • you are VALID! • I love my lovely three partners who bring me JOY! • you are enough just as you are • My GF is better than yours • love is understanding • It gets Better! • Accept yourself because it's all you'll ever be. Love is love • it's okay to love who you love, no matter what your mom says • It's gonna be okay one day. • Proud to be a part • you are going to be okay. Smile more — it really does get better! Left: Macon Pride Board of Directors. Right: Ashley Pemberton, Ivy Marie Clarke and Faith Reagin volunteered and celebrated with Macon Pride. MACON MAGAZINE AT PRIDE 16 maconmagazine.com | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022