Good day to you, lovely watchers! I hope your Wednesday has been a great one thus far, Woten'sday, Winns-die if you have poor enunciation- but hey, that's all good.

SO- *claps her hands* Let's talk about PRIDE MONTH... I know many don't exactly understand what is meant by the context of using the term "pride" in this sense. Many people are a bit confused and understandably so. "Pride" to many is a feeling one should have in one's accomplishments, achievements, not just an empty statement of happiness over happenstance and accident. I, for example, am not proud to be 5'3". I'm not proud that I'm American or Teutonic. These things are all genetic accidents. My parents could have just as easily been anything. So why claim "pride"?

Simply put, words have many meanings depending upon the context of the statement. Colloquially, a "theory" is a postulation, speculation based mostly in theory and some evidence. To a scientist, however, a "theory" i something MUCH more serious, a hypothesis which has been tested repeatedly and stands up to the objective scrutiny of peer review. It's basically a fact, above "law" in the lexicon of science.

Thus, it is with "Pride". When we get to PRIDE MONTH, members of the LGBTQ community and their wonderful straight allies aren't waving little flags because they're proud of just being what they are. That would be silly. *shrugs* I'm not proud to just simply be pansexual or a "herm" or a Satanist. What "PRIDE" means in this context is not being ashamed, afraid or cowed by others. For centuries, the LGBTQ folk, to this day even, have been victimized very brutally in most every country. Everything from the simple social stigma, the embarrassing shaming of a child, threats against employment, home, health and even life, torture and even public execution... which is still carried out in many countries most shamefully... *hangs her head for a moment*

So- some of you might be asking "But Ashley, what does that have to do with 'leather pride'? How is that even a thing?"

Established in popular use in the early-mid 90's, the flag of "Leather Pride" came to be embraced as a symbol for those who celebrate "the lifestyle", from leather and latex fetishists to BDSM enthusiasts, Daddies, Dommes, Femmes, Subs, Ponies, Living Dolls and many other sub-sects of the populace. *head tilts* These varied groups all have in common a stigma of sorts, placed upon them by society as a whole. Often viewed as being mentally unwell, ill and "needing help", those in The Lifestyle are often horribly misunderstood in their ways, facing similar persecution as seen by many groups. Generally their expressions of interest and even love are at BEST used as punchlines to jokes and at worst often the justification for shaming, ostracizing and shunning by society as a whole.

Love is a complicated thing, perhaps the most complicated thing about us as human beings. It's a mix of respect, loyalty, affinity, passion, trust perhaps above all else and so very much more, all rotating and shifting about in us all like sparks from a well-cut diamond. *smiles, making a little heart with her fingers* We all have different ways of expressing our love... but love is always beautiful and worth fighting for.

So, as I am VERY much in The Lifestyle, expect to see some more coming soon on this point from my gallery, lovely watchers. In the meantime, you get out there and live your lives, love somebody and maybe you'll be fortunate enough that they love you as well. Just be open-minded enough to understand and appreciate that they might have more interest in the ol' pinch and squeal than the hug and cuddle -but that doesn't mean they don't love you. *blows a kiss*