CAZENOVIA, N.Y. (NCC News) — Pride Month gives people a chance to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community like at the Caz Pride Hike Trail. Pride Month means a lot and something different to all who support or celebrate.
For Delaine Spangler it means an opportunity to be heard.
“Having a whole month makes it or gives us an opportunity to be louder and be more vocal and more visible espically to younger kids or people who aren’t out,” said Spangler.
For Bill Bullen, a board member of the Caz Pride, it’s about standing with the LQBTQ+ community that’s mostly targeted. Bullen says his life experience helped him come to understand more about the struggles the community faces.
“I was a Republican white guy living in the suburbs. I became a commissioner of education in the Syracuse School District and I changed my party, and I came out as femme and I started becoming aware of the issues that we have,” said Bullen.
Spangler says that in today’s political climate it’s important to continue to provide spaces for the LGBQT+ community to be heard.
“And to be able to speak out and say, we are still here, we will always be here. And if you’re not out yet, that’s okay. We will be here when you’re ready. It’s so important to cultivate these communities and to be visible,” said Bullen.
Bullen says people looking to be allies of the LGBQT+ community should do one important thing.
“If you know somebody gay or trans and without outing them, if somebody says something to them, stop them in their tracks,” Bullen said.
Spangler says don’t be afraid to ask questions.
“If somebody you know suddenly comes out, ask them questions, ask them how they want to be referred to, what they can do to help. And show up and have those tough conversations with people,” Spangler said,
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Pride Month
Tyus Sansbury,Reporter: Pride month gives people a chance to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community like at the Caz Pride Hike Trail event. We heard from some community members about what the month means.
Tyus Sansbury: Pride month means a lot and something different to all who support or celebrate. For Delaine Spangler it means an opportunity to be heard.
Delaine Spangler: Having a whole month makes it or gives us an opportunity to be louder and be more vocal and more visible espically to younger kids or people who aren’t out.
Sansbury: For Bill Bullen it’s about standing with the LQBTQ+ community that’s mostly targeted. Bullen says his life experience helped come to understand more about the struggles the community face.
Bill Bullen, Caz Pride Board Member: I was a Republican white guy living in the suburbs, became a commissioner of education in the Syracuse School District and I changed my party, and I came out as femme and I started becoming aware of the issues that we have.
Sansbury: Spangler says that in today’s political climate it’s important to continue to provide spaces for the LGBQT+ community to be heard.
Spangler: And to be able to speak out and say, we are still here, we will always be here. And if you’re not out yet, that’s okay. We will be here when you’re ready. It’s so important to cultivate these communities and to be visible.”
Sansbury: To be visible, heard, and supported is key to the people celebrating Pride month.