Here I am on August 22, 2010 down on the HARP River Walk at Pueblo Gay Pride Day. These are a few of my friends from Southern Colorado AIDS Project. On the left is the Reverend John Mark Hild of the Metropolitan Community Church here in Pueblo. Directly behind me is Eric, a volunteer. The tall good looking guy there is Bill Sharpton. He works for SCAP in the Colorado Springs office. If you recall the white panel on the AIDS Quilt with all the AA coins is his sister, Marty.Gay Pride was quite a little event this year. Makes me remember back to the beginning of my venture into the Gay Community in Pueblo. I think it must have been about 1990 or 91 when I found PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). There were 3 of us mothers and we met in the basement of the Red Cross Building on Pueblo Boulevard and prayed no one would know we were there. We've come a long way, baby!
We now have a presence all over Pueblo in the form of youth groups, activist groups, clinics, support groups, World AIDS Day services, Southern Colordao Equality Alliance, and a scholarship program at the Community College. I am sure there is much more, but this is good for now. I am very proud to say the torch has been passed to a new generation and us old ladies that were there in the beginning can now set back and let the young'uns handle the load. They have boundless energy and are all gung ho' on this and I am very glad. This is one time we can truly enjoy the fruits of our labors. Was not sure I would see this day 20 years ago.
Hey, have a good one today and every day, bearing in mind that Neil Armstrong made is own statement years ago when he said, "That is one step for man, and one giant step for mankind!" Keep putting one foot in front of the other whether you are on the moon or in Pueblo, Colorado, or Podunk, Georgia. Any step forward is something to be proud of and 2 other mothers and myself are proud of Pueblo, Colorado!!
