Worldwide, we celebrate PRIDE month with hope, understanding

The famous Sydney Opera House is aglow with "Pride" colors, a proud rainbow celebrating Australia's strong support of the progress toward inclusion, tolerance and embrace of all people.

PRIDE month encourages professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

 LGBT Pride Month is celebrated worldwide. It stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and

Transgender Pride Month, celebrated annually in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots.

LET US WELCOME JUNE and the celebration of Gay Pride worldwide. The acronym, PRIDE, was adopted by University of California San Francisco Medical Center and is now a part of our vernacular. It stands for professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence. Amen.

As a heterosexual woman with gay friends around the globe, I celebrate PRIDE month and the hope, progress and understanding it symbolizes.

Cookie takes wing for PRIDE month.

Keller is ready to fly for PRIDE's message.

Growing up in Montana in the 1950s, it didn't then occur to me that several of my most remarkable teachers were likely closeted gays. They either lived alone or with "roommates," and were unable to show their affection for one another in public in those days. How difficult it must have been.

When "Bruce the First" and I married in 1970, one of our two best men, now passed away, was gay. Roger lived in San Francisco during his college years and frequented the famous "gay baths."  When he returned to his native Montana, as a brilliant university professor, he led a quiet, mostly solitary life. Another dear friend often met his longtime partner on weekends in another state and his choice of a mate was never discussed although everyone knew. Again, how sad for all.

Elizabeth Taylor addressed Congress and raised millions for AIDS awareness and research.

--photo courtesy AMFAR  

LIVING IN THE world of theater and the arts, 

Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson in a promotion photo from "Giant."

--photo courtesy Warner Bros

I am reminded of what ardent AIDS awareness advocate Elizabeth Taylor said to eulogize her longtime friend and fellow actor Rock Hudson when he died in 1985 of complications from  AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). "Without the gay community, there would be no Broadway, no Hollywood," Taylor said. She raised millions to find a cure for the disease while raising awareness. With emotion, she addressed a standing ovation Oscars crowd shortly after Hudson died at age 59. She believed: "There is no gay agenda; it's a human agenda. Why shouldn't gay people be able to live as open and freely as everybody else? What it comes down to, ultimately, is love. How can anything bad come out of love? The bad stuff comes out of mistrust, misunderstanding and, God knows, from hate and from ignorance."

Sydney, Australia's streets are decked with posters, ads, promotions for PRIDE month.

SHE WOULD, I believe, be comforted now by increasing public acceptance and the openness and honesty of my gay and lesbian friends around the world. Most are in their 40s, 50s and 60s now.  One gay couple is in their 70s, living in England. Another lives in Idaho. Both couples are world travelers as are a lesbian couple in Colorado. How hard this fight has been -- and how rich must be the rewards to finally be able to walk hand in hand, share a hug at a party or reception, book a room on a ship or hotel without fear of judgment or criticism.

Phil Johnson and Omri Schein in "Withering Heights," a hysterical spoof of the classic,

at one of San Diego's best and most adventurous theaters, Diversionary.  

WE LOVE theater, and are grateful for such a lively mix of fine productions here in San Diego and nearby Palm Springs.  Diversionary Theatre is a favorite venue. This third oldest LGBTQ theater in the country produces quality work in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Bravo, Diversionary. Keep the good work coming. "Head Over Heels" musical is next up, and Diversionary's Clark Cabaret offers a pleasant environment to relax with a friend and a beverage before or after a first-rate show.

Emcee Anita Rose opens a hit drag show at Oscar's in Palm Springs.

We never miss a drag show, in Las Vegas or Palm Springs, where Oscar's showcases world class female impersonators, live music and great food. 

Diversionary Theatre in San Diego produces first-rate theater and offers a welcoming show case and environment for thinking theater buffs.

Millions will show their PRIDE this month around the world.

THE PRIDE movement celebrates its 53rd year -- after its beginning in 1970, a year after the Stonewall Inn Riots in New York. As we mark this important turning point, I look forward to more peaceful marches when friends can express themselves and their sexuality freely. Such celebrations encourage continuing gay awareness and public understanding. We can't have enough of that.

SO IT is with joy that I join millions to celebrate LGBTQ and Pride. I'll continue to do my bit to to help achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) humans.

And, on a humorous note: In 1997, my husband Billy and I toured the Amazon on a small boat with only a dozen staterooms. We'd tried to book the only stateroom with a queen-sized bed. It was unavailable so we settled for a room with two twins. Later, after dinner, our new friends, a fun lesbian couple from Colorado, invited us to their stateroom for a nightcap. Guess who had the only queen sized bed on the boat?

For more information or to connect: gaycenter.org

diversionary.org

oscarspalmsprings.com 

Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers on a circle tour of the island of Oahu, a full, rewarding day with E Noa.

UP NEXT: If you have a day to explore the wonders of Oahu, try E Noa's Majestic Circle Tour which gives a spectacular, compact view of the island with lots of extras and pleasures. From lush Waimea Valley to Dole Plantation, the stunning coastline, macadamia nuts, coffee, shrimp and a beautiful Buddhist temple, it's all possible in a single full but relaxing and informative day. We take you to explore in stylish comfort, remembering to explore, learn an live. Catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel and the arts, performance, nature, family, food and more: www.whereiscookie.com