Pride Comes To Theori Avenue

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Pride Comes To Theori Avenue

       In the midst of all the bad, sad, disheartening news that we're being bombarded with nonstop these days,

...this past Sunday, June 2,  I heard of a little event that cheered my day and gave me a spark of hope in the goodness of people's hearts.
      It was around 8:45 am Pacific Time  - I  was still in Los Angeles (see previous post, https://www.ailantha.com/blog/another-unforgettable-where-were-you-when-you-heard-moment​) - when I received from my friend Karen,

...this text:

      My friend's message made me laugh as I tried to picture a splendacious LGBTQ Pride Parade in all its glory rolling down Theori Avenue, a small, quiet street in our small, quiet, Columbus, Ohio suburb of Gahanna.
​        Theori Avenue:

          I thought it was terrific, though. I texted back to my friend:

     I truly did wish that I could be there to see the Theori Avenue Pride Parade, whatever it would turn out to be. I asked Karen if she would take pictures for me, which she did. 
          The parade turned out to be a group of mostly Gahanna folks, moms and dads,

...grandparents,

...friends,

...and neighbors,

...and dogs.

      It was kids on their bikes,

...and scooters,

...and on foot, waving their flags and seeming to have a fine time.

      And it uplifted my heart to see these children being taught to support and celebrate our social diversity, value lessons in being good Americans and good human beings,

...and to see the folks here in my neighborhood marching in solidarity for our LGBTQ brothers and sisters, standing up for civil rights over injustice, inclusive community over otherization,  love over hate.

       It was probably among the smallest, simplest, shortest of Pride parades. But it was sweet. And it was nice. My friend's daughter Krista videoed the whole thing, 

...so you can watch it here if you'd like:

      Next June I'm for sure going to be with Karen and my other neighbors on Theori Avenue.