Empowerment

My Name Is Still Elias: A Story of Identity, Belonging, and the Courage to Remember. AI-Generated.
I was seventeen when I moved to America. A suitcase full of prayers from my mother, a blue komboloi from my grandfather, and my name — Ηλίας — which no one could pronounce.
By Constandinos Olymbios8 months ago in Pride
"Frotophobia" and (Internalized) Homophobia
The Jewish-American Bill Weintraub began the "Frot Movement" as an attempt to popularize frottage (genital-genital sex or genital rubbing between men) and help frottage compete (in the "free market" of sexualities) against the much more dangerous and injurious act of anal.
By ANTICHRIST SUPERSTAR8 months ago in Pride
guitar pick
I spoke to my Dad last night While he dressed the salad with balsamic vinegar And salted the schnitzels how my Mum likes them.
By Ruby Red8 months ago in Pride
Is Pride on the decline?
Not so very long-ago Pride month saw events held in nearly every town and city across the United States and much of Europe, with rainbow colored flags visible in most streets and pride themed adverts on every television channel.
By Ted Maul 8 months ago in Pride
The Quiet in Room 17
I always knew something was different about me. Not the “gifted child” kind of different, or even the “she’s so quirky” type. This difference didn’t come with praise or pats on the back. It came with whispers, narrowed eyes, and the lingering silence after I entered a room.
By Zakir Ullah8 months ago in Pride
No Matter the Result: Pinky Promise
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎ ✧ ⚢ ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ "Ouch!" Mara hissed, louder than she meant. People in the waiting room stared, mildly annoyed. But Mara was more bothered. Her thumb throbbed. She’d bitten through another nail. A fresh crescent of red peeked out from under the polish Doreen had painted just an hour ago.
By Dalma Ubitz8 months ago in Pride
Dancing to Britney And Coming Out . Top Story - June 2025.
Everyone knew I was gay before I said a word. No one told me, they figured I would come around when the time was right. But I didn't know that. Which made coming to terms with my orientation that much more difficult.
By Edward Anderson8 months ago in Pride
I Didn’t Disappear. I Refused.
They outlawed my name first. Not the one on my ID — that one they kept, with its masculine “Matthew” and that stiff, false “M” stamped next to sex, like a scar carved into paperwork.
By Rukka Nova9 months ago in Pride
In the Face of Erasure
I need to forget myself,” Jordan said, their voice barely above a whisper. They sat in the sterile chair, fingers fidgeting with the edges of their sleeve, their eyes staring ahead, unfocused.
By Shoaib Rehman9 months ago in Pride
Unapologetically Me...Now
Happy Pride, Vocal readers! I love this time of year, because it's a reminder to conservatives and anyone who heavily dislike us that we aren't going back in the closet. At least, not in the foreseeable future. Our voices will grow even louder, and we refuse to shut up.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 9 months ago in Pride
Pride Is Joy
Introduction This is a microfiction for the challenge below: This is not so much a microfiction as a series of observations based on some people that I know and have known.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 9 months ago in Pride
Coming Out Again: Beyond All the Labels
I came out the first time when I was sixteen. It was chaotic, emotional, and transpired clumsily in the passenger side of my mom's minivan following a tense family dinner. The words fell from my lips, awkward and weighed down with years of stifled worry: "Mom, I think… I think I'm gay."
By Get Rich9 months ago in Pride