We cover Pride events every year, and every year we have private conversations with readers who object or cancel their subscriptions. This year, I decided to get ahead of the curve and discuss why we cover Pride, and what either John or I usually say to people’s objections.
Readers have asked why we should put gayness “in their faces” when we know the existence of LGBT people makes some readers uncomfortable or “goes against their religious beliefs.”
Unfortunately, LGBT people don’t get to choose which families they are born into. What a tragedy for someone to be born into a family that makes them feel ashamed, unsafe, outcast, invisible or unloved. We want people who are suffering to know there is a world out there where they can be proud, safe, accepted, seen, and loved.
Readers complain LGBT stories are not appropriate for a “family friendly” paper. The people I talk to at Pride events aren’t talking to me about sex (that would be weird). They talk about community and, most importantly, safety. It is “family friendly” to celebrate all families, and to include all people in our family. Like the slogan says, “hate is not a family value.”
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