I had a great time at Pride functions.  One picture is taken in our farm’s ATV during the Princeton Pride parade.  The second is of a Pride conference for the NJ Department of Agriculture.      Hugs,   Charlize

Pride celebrations tend to be a little later up here in the Great White North.  The larger towns up the valley had theirs this past weekend.  Our local Pride celebration runs this coming weekend.  We had a fine time at a queer elders' coffee house event on Saturday: reconnected with an old trans friend, and met some new gay and lesbian friends.  I have my pride flag flying on the garage.  (Note to self: remember to change it for the Canadian flag for July 1st, then change it back.)  We'll be attending (possibly marching in) the Pride parade on Saturday.   The fact that I can do this and still be on good terms with the neighbours brings me joy.  And the fact that I and my elder friends can live as ourselves as examples for younger LGBTQ+ folks brings me even greater joy.

Shock has hardly worn off loss.

How do you handle the loss of someone who turns away from you?

Welcome @Jesse Jso glad you found us and know we hope to fill your emptiness with love, truth and affirmation. Ask any questions and/or provide us with your perspectives and learning to share with others.

Born on my birthday May 29 but in the year 1983, Anika Nilles came bursting, literially, on the music scene this year as the irreplaceable replacement for Neil Peart in Rush. She has not only place Neil's place but managed to add her own drumming touches to Neil's work and the public and reviewers have embraced her. What an impossible task to take on, and yet she has managed to do it. Anika is a drummer, composer and teacher and released 3 albums with Nevel from 2017 through 2025. She has been drumming since the age of six and has a technique that mainly uses quintuplets and sextuplets over a 4/4 beat.   

Christians are like that. If you're not "pure" then you're evil. After 30 years of it, I find it incredibly boring 😴

Yes!    I enjoy volunteering at my little town's fest every year. And attending a couple other bigger ones.   Yesterday went to the New York City Pride parade/march/fest. And I know one of the Grand Marshals, from back when she was deep in the closet, that was amazing. And every once in a while I see a younger trans person soaking up all the joy and it just warms the heart. 

Welcome to TGP Forums, Jesse! You have, in fact, found your people. Searching for community was exactly what brought me here a bit over 3 years ago and I have not regretted it a single day since. Here you'll find acceptance, support, ideas and friendship. Our journeys are unique but still filled with similarities so please let us know how we can help in yours.

Hey Jesse! Welcome!    It's so good to meet you.    I look forward to getting to know you more.    I feel like I have not travelled as far as you, but, in the same direction. I also have kids, who also shape my journey. 

I am glad you guys can know this stuff together, and I am learning new food things. I ate pierogis in Krakow, the rest is a mystery to me.    And for sure, REAL life is good things AND bad things. And sometimes the bad things are crushing, and you NEED help and support and love to find a way to get to a more even place, but there are always small good things to hold on to. But it really MATTERS to be able to talk about the bad things, otherwise, they get bigger, and you feel like you CAN'T say them, and that's really unhealthy. Because, you should NEVER have shame or feel secret about bad things outside of your control that happened, or that you have bad things to say.    AT THE SAME TIME (because we are awesome and expansive and contain multitudes) you have such good things inside too! And one day, you might teach me your pierogi skill! 

@Jossica  OMG this is the truth! Anyone with a job and kids (or equivalent opposing demands) trying to book anything as part of a group with other people managing the same.... AAARRGGHH!   Still... One day...

Ohhh. Kapusta! I haven't had that in decades. Max, are you familiar with golumpki, too? I LOVED that stuff as a kid. (Had a Polish stepmother.)   I don't think you need to censor yourself for positive/negative content here. Nobody's going to ban you for not being positive enough. You see what you see and feel what you feel, and it's perfectly acceptable to share that here. But life really is a mix of "things we like" and "things we don't like," and I do think it's helpful to at least *aim* for the ones we like.   Hang in there. Pierogis are a good reason to appreciate life.

Thank you! It took me a moment to navigate how to respond but I'll get the hang of this. I appreciate your warm welcome and guidance. I plan to do a little exploring and get in where I fit in. I appreciate you being my first point of contact today in this new chapter. You'll see me around.