i’ve been struggling lately as I’ve had very little time to be Carol. And trying to connect with friends either I was free and they were busy or they were free and I was busy we all know how that goes.So as luck would have it I had a few free days this past weekend and I reached out to a few friends in the Harrisburg area to see if we can catch up. That’s when I got a response back from my friend Corrine Goodwin Who mentioned that she would be at the pride festival in Lancaster PA hosting a booth for the group she runs which is the Eastern PA trans equity group organization and she’s always looking for volunteers. As I’m always looking for ways to gI’ve back I jumped at the opportunity to attend my first pride event and volunteer to work the booth.
It was held in their convention center, luckily air-conditioned and there was 200 booths plus tons of entertainment. I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I knew how to work a booth but I didn’t realize how emotional it would be for me. This was very different as there was so many different groups representing the LGBTQ world And I was just used to being at events or out with girls like me.
It’s a lot of work being on your feet for most of the day and I admired all of the different groups that were there to support our community. I got lucky to meet a wonderful woman who is represented a church that was right across from us but that story is for another day.
So how was my day…it was absolutely wonderful in a way that I really never saw coming. I got to see the great work that Coriinne does with her organization and got to see so many people smiling and happy because they were in a place that they felt safe and could express themselves but here’s the unexpected part.
Mothers fathers aunts uncles and so many other people were there looking for information that could help thier family member. They would stop by the booth a little bit unsure maybe even scared but hungry for knowledge that would help them and their family member. Their love and commitment to their family member shine through for their family member was unwavering.
Hearing mothers and dads talk about how they were supporting their kid brought back a flood of memories. Memories of me being scared and afraid and not being able to tell anybody until many many decades later. I would hear them say how much they loved their family member and they wanted to do something to help them. You could see the love in their eyes and at the same time a little bit of struggle as they didn’t understand, but they were committed to be there for that person. Many times I had to hold the tears back because I was overjoyed for that person that they had family showing in the love, the acceptance I wish I had when I was young. They would walk away from the booth feeling better as they had more information, there were others like them and that there was support out there. I just stood there watching them walk away in amazement and my heart was filled with hope and happiness that these people existed.
I got to see a part of my community that I have never seen before and I feel blessed for that opportunity. Corrine thanked us for helping and I would say that the thanks go to you for letting me see what I saw that day.
I know the people that worked the event and especially the ones that I chatted with they talked about their love for everyone in our community that they won’t see this post. I wish they would because I want to thank them and tell them how much your love means he gives me hope that we can get through this crazy time.
