This year marks the 50th anniversary since the first pride parade following the 1969 riot at New York City’s Stonewall Inn. Since we’re unable to gather in person this June, Queerty is celebrating pride season with our “Moments of Pride” series. We’re looking back through our archives at stories that have moved or inspired us, made us laugh, opened our hearts and minds, or that simply make us proud. Throughout the spring and into summer, we’ll be commenting on these subjects through today’s lens to show just how far we have come in a half-century. Happy pride!
In 2016, Joan Wilson placed an ad in the Sunday edition of the Houston Chronicle announcing that her teenage son, Drake, had come out as gay and she couldn’t be prouder of him.
“The parents of Drake are pleased to announce that their son has come out,” the ad read. It then listed several of the high school senior’s achievements, including that he was a church deacon, served as student body vice president at his school, enjoyed filmmaking, baking, “and yes, he adores Barbra Streisand.”
But here’s the thing: Drake and his family actually lived in Washington state. They chose to place the ad in Houston’s largest daily newspaper in response to the repeal of the city’s Equal Rights Ordinance, which prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
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“I couldn’t think of a better place than Houston, out of the entire country, where they needed to hear my message of pride,” Joan said. “My announcement was my way of humanizing the issue.”
Chrisk
Yeah, ah mom. Thanks for your support but please don’t.
Kieran
I just hope she asked and received her son’s permission before she decided to show everyone how woke she is.
DarkZephyr
Don’t start using that kind of mocking rhetoric for this type of thing, Dude. Have SOME respect and honor for your own community at SOME damned point in your life. You know damned well how long and hard we’ve fought to get to a point where heterosexual parents can feel safe enough and PROUD enough of their gay child to do something like this. Rather than mock it, why not reflect on how this wouldn’t have even happened not so long ago and now it can?
Matthewnow
She is a beacon of hope.
Kangol2
I find this mother amazing. Her son is very, very lucky. Gods bless her, and him!
Paton41
Most gay men adore Streisand. She helped me through my first breakup with “Cry me a River”.
Gary Q VV
This event is uplifting and socially friendly. We need more parents who are as loving, accepting, brave, and imaginative. I read two negative comments from @Chirsk and @Kieran; shame on you for your selfish behavior. It’s hard to understand such ideology coming from LGBTQ people. But, I know you’re out there, sitting alone, and you’re not a useful part of our society.
Kanaka4127
Word. I just will never understand the self loathers.
scottjamesmiller
You criticize 2 people for leaving negative comments and then tell them that they’re “not a useful part of our society?” Hey Gary? Shame on you for your selfish behavior. It’s hard to understand such ideology coming from an LGBTQ person. Are you out there too? Sitting alone? Not being useful? Is that how that works? Try to not be part of the problem.
nitejonboy
God bless her, she sounds wonderful! My mom had a hard time with me for a while in my youth but eventually she was my biggest ally and I miss her so much, she’s been gone three years next month. I have a friend who used to live in Houston and had to move. It may sound liberal to some but outside of the gay enclave it’s a right wing hellhole. His partner was murdered there. Plus any city that lets them tear down their only amusement park, Astroworld, which was an awesome place, is no place I want to live in.
succubus
WTF?