In today's post, Rick Incorvati, founding member of Equality Springfield, shares a personal account which highlights the supportive community aspect of Pride.
Rick says, I've got a Pride story, one that comes with a picture and video. In 2012, Equality Springfield had plans to participate in the big one: the Pride March in Columbus. We registered as a group, and folks agreed to meet out at the lineup.
It was a beautiful day, but for various reasons, only a few members of Equality Springfield were able to find each other. Rick had the Equality Springfield banner ready to go, and he was set to march in the parade, but only three members of the group were present.
Seeing that the size of their group was smaller than expected, they wondered if marching in the parade was still a good idea.
Rick reflects: We looked at each other, looked at our banner, and decided we were a pitiful spectacle. Better to go find a spot along the march route and just be spectators for the day.
As the plans to march in the parade began to fade away, Rick and the other Equality Springfield representatives (Tai and De) happened upon some friends.
Equality Ohio is a nonprofit organization that advocates for LGBTQ people statewide. Equality Ohio was also present for the Pride March that day. Rick shares what happened next.
On the way up to the route, we ran into Equality Ohio, and I knew a couple of the folks there. Among them was Lee Reinhart (a peach of a guy) and then Executive Director Ed Mullen. They invited us to march with them, Equality Springfield banner and all.
Seeing that members of Equality Springfield were ready and willing to march, the group from Equality Ohio wasted no time welcoming their neighbors from the west into their company. How hospitable were the people from Equality Ohio? Not only did they allow Equality Springfield to march with them...
In fact, they put us right up front, patted us on the shoulders, and shouted "Equality Springfield" in their bullhorn. The day went from being disappointing to being transformational...
The triumphant spectacle was caught on camera! Watch the video here:
Rick continues, The feeling of marching down High St. in the center of the state capital on a beautiful day with crowds of supporting, friendly, and shouting people is not something I'm going to match again. The world had turned upside down. It was a gay world, a lesbian world, a transgender world, a friendly world, and it showed me just how much of a weight minorities carry with them day in and day out without ever realizing it. For one stretch of time, we were all there was.
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