Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Pride.

Let Your Freak Flag Fly
If you don't feel like you fit in where you are, you have two options: beat 'em or join 'em, right? Of course, there are numerous other possibilities, like moving away or finding new people to hang out with, but, as a teenager, these options weren't really available to me. Unfortunately for me, the people I wasn't fitting in with were my family, and almost my entire class. Don't get me wrong, I had some friends, but that wasn't enough to shield me from the feeling of constantly grating up against everyone and everything, like rubbing sandpaper the wrong way.
By Cora Rose5 years ago in Pride
My Journey to Happiness
Hello, my name is Queen Amina, I am the Queen of Hearts & Jack of Trades; this is my happy story! My happy story begins with a not-so-happy beginning. In my senior year of high school, I attentively sat in class amongst the other ambitious and excited 2011 class graduates. With three months of school left a career counselor and co-host popular chef stepped into my classroom and stated this quote,” Work a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life!” It was so simply said and understood as I analyzed the room seeing all my peers just as so. On their successful path to living and loving what they do in complete happiness. The nicely dressed and high-paid career counselor encouraging ambitious youth to find their love career. The co-host chef who's living their cooking fantasy at the fancy restaurant on the Vegas Strip. My friend beside me who’s aiming to become a nurse has already been accepted in college. The A-plus student soon to be a restaurant owner. At last, the go-pride artist that easily struts their free spirit life, freely! As for me, well, that was a challenge. "There's still so much I haven‘t learned about myself,” I thought. With so many intriguing skills, talents, and interests, I didn’t know where to begin.
By Queen Amina5 years ago in Pride
Chameleon Pride Patches
This project began with a creative slump. In May I quit my craft store cashier job, no longer feeling joy from it. For a majority of May I created very little, lots of sketches, but none that I wanted to bring into existence. Nothing was “speaking” to me. I was mentally, creatively, and emotionally burnt-out. After taking the better part of a month off, taking the first real break I could since October, a change was needed.
By Samantha Flucht5 years ago in Pride
Life’s a Drag
I started doing drag in November 30th, 2019 after leaving an abusive relationship. Emotionally torn and invalidated by an ex-partner who never accepted my gender identity, I turned to drag as a way to reclaim myself again. I went to a barber and told them cut all of my hair off. With each snip of the scissor, I could see each long strand of hair fall off so quickly like a ton of bricks. I was finally free.
By Amelia 5 years ago in Pride
Every Quilt is an Heirloom
I started quilting because my mom made me a t-shirt quilt that I didn’t really like. It wasn’t the craftsmanship, the quilt was flawless. Every t-shirt was interfaced and perfectly cut to exact measurements, sewn with straight seams to colorful strips of sashing and pieced together in a visually appealing design. The quilting was professionally done on a long-arm sewing machine and I’m certain it will hold up for many decades.
By David Wolfe5 years ago in Pride
same but different
Stage 1: The Sickness 1. Hozier Take Me to Church Yes I know I am sick. Full of sick ideas that is! I just need to protect them until they can grow up and start to defend themselves from all of you.
By mokradi_ 5 years ago in Pride
On the Fringe
The innocence of youth grips us all. I was nine and I knew what I wanted. I wanted to look like my best friends. I wanted a haircut that reflected how I felt.
By Rebecca Peel5 years ago in Pride
Postmortem
Jonathan wrestled to free a rubber-banded wad from his cubbyhole mailbox and in the process scraped his thumb against the aluminum plating. He sucked on the scarlet smear, shook off the pain, then proceeded to sort through correspondence next to the junk mail bin.
By Jobert Abueva5 years ago in Pride
Becoming Betty Whitecastle: A Queen for the Ages
Jeffrey Mitchell was Nancy Reagan the first time I saw him. I don't mean he was dressed up as Nancy Reagan. I mean that he was Nancy Reagan. The red power suit, the pearls, the sweet, soft voice dripping with ironic disapproval...Jeffrey's portrayal of the former first lady was uncanny.
By Jessica Conaway5 years ago in Pride
Cutting Through Clothing Waste: Cause-related Crafting
Cutting Through Clothing Waste: Cause-related Crafting Finding myself with extra time on my hands as a result of COVID-mandated shutdowns, I renewed my passion in all things crafting, a hobby that was a large part of my childhood spent with my even-craftier twin sister. Like most moms, I started making wreaths to both pass the time with my young son and beautify our home, where we were spending more time than ever.
By The Girl is Craftyyy5 years ago in Pride
25 LGBTQ+ Songs That Aren't Anthems (Yet)
Possibly the most exciting time of the year for queer folks is here: Pride Month! All around the globe, the challenge to put on the most wondrous celebration is on. Especially since last year’s festivities were (rudely, but reasonably) interrupted by COVID restrictions. Well, 2021 is seeing brighter rainbows as COVID cases are going down, vaccinations are ongoing, and many states are fixing to open up soon, while others are up and running like normal.
By Kimberly Alvarez5 years ago in Pride
I Didn't Know Gay People Existed Until I Lived in the South
I sat across the Wrigleyville table from an old friend. Cubs memorabilia and streamers decorated the bar, and it grew louder as we caught up over drinks. Her face was a welcome sight, but misplaced against the backdrop of my new reality. I had known her during my freshman year at college. I attended Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina for one year to play Division I golf.
By Megan Kopeny5 years ago in Pride