The Turner Files by Wilbur Turner
Every June, like clockwork, the comments roll in: 香蕉视频直播淲hy do they get a whole month when veterans only get one day?香蕉视频直播� 香蕉视频直播淲here香蕉视频直播檚 the veterans香蕉视频直播� crosswalk?香蕉视频直播� 香蕉视频直播淲hat about straight pride?香蕉视频直播�
It香蕉视频直播檚 a false equivalency香蕉视频直播攚eaponizing recognition for veterans or straight people to undermine queer visibility, as though we香蕉视频直播檙e in a contest over who香蕉视频直播檚 more deserving of dignity. It香蕉视频直播檚 lazy thinking, if thinking is indeed involved.
Let香蕉视频直播檚 break it down.
Pride Month is in June for a reason. It honours the Stonewall uprising of June 1969香蕉视频直播攁 watershed moment in queer history where 2SLGBTQIA+ people fought back against police violence and persecution. Pride exists not to exclude others, but to create space for people who have been historically and violently excluded. If you香蕉视频直播檝e never needed a space to feel safe just being who you are, then perhaps consider that a privilege香蕉视频直播攏ot a slight.
And to those sincerely asking why queer folks get a month and veterans a day: have you Googled it? There are veterans香蕉视频直播� crosswalks. There are months dedicated to military history and remembrance. In Canada, Veterans香蕉视频直播� Week takes place every November leading up to Remembrance Day. If you feel veterans deserve more香蕉视频直播攐rganize, advocate, create. The queer community certainly did, and still does. Pride Month didn香蕉视频直播檛 fall from the sky. It香蕉视频直播檚 the result of decades of tireless work.
Frankly, the queer community is great at turning struggle into celebration. If that celebration irritates some people, well香蕉视频直播攎aybe one day that irritation will turn into a pearl of wisdom. Until then, we香蕉视频直播檙e not here to shrink so others feel more comfortable in their ignorance.
But this isn香蕉视频直播檛 just about snide comments. It香蕉视频直播檚 about the real-world consequences they represent.
On June 1, 2025, Jonathan Joss香蕉视频直播攁n Indigenous actor best known for voicing John Redcorn on King of the Hill and portraying Chief Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation香蕉视频直播攚as fatally shot in San Antonio, Texas. His husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, alleges that the shooting was a homophobic hate crime. According to Gonzales, the couple had endured years of harassment, including homophobic slurs and threats to burn down their home. Earlier this year, their house was destroyed in a fire, resulting in the loss of three of their dogs.
In a Facebook post, Gonzales recounted the events leading up to Joss's death:
香蕉视频直播淎s we arrived, we found the skull and harness of one of our dogs, leading to severe emotional distress. Then the suspect yelled violent homophobic slurs before opening fire. Neither of us were armed.香蕉视频直播�
Gonzales emphasized that they had reported the harassment to law enforcement multiple times, but 香蕉视频直播渘othing was done.香蕉视频直播� The San Antonio Police Department has stated that, as of now, there is no evidence to classify the shooting as a hate crime, but the investigation is ongoing.
Pride Month isn香蕉视频直播檛 just parades and rainbows. It香蕉视频直播檚 a visible stand against the kind of hatred that killed Jonathan. It香蕉视频直播檚 a reminder that we are still here, still fighting, still vulnerable. The worst part? So many attacks on our community begin with words. Words online, words in anger, words that imply we香蕉视频直播檙e asking for too much by simply being visible.
Pride isn香蕉视频直播檛 what香蕉视频直播檚 threatening. What香蕉视频直播檚 threatening is the demand that queer people return to silence.
To those shouting "what about the veterans?"香蕉视频直播攜ou香蕉视频直播檙e aiming in the wrong direction. Pride doesn't dishonour veterans. Many queer people are veterans. They香蕉视频直播檝e fought wars abroad and at home, often without the recognition they deserve. These false binaries香蕉视频直播擯ride or veterans, inclusion or tradition香蕉视频直播攁re tools of division. You don香蕉视频直播檛 have to pick sides when you can choose compassion.
And here香蕉视频直播檚 the final truth: the queer community shows up. We plan, fundraise, fight for permits, decorate, invite, rally, and celebrate. Year after year, we put in the work. So if you're wondering why Pride has a month香蕉视频直播攎aybe ask yourself what kind of world we香蕉视频直播檙e building that still needs it.
What we need isn香蕉视频直播檛 less Pride, but more heart. Celebrate boldly this Pride Month!
~ Wilbur Turner is a political strategist and community advocate based in Kelowna, British Columbia, with deep roots in Alberta. With experience on the ground in federal and municipal campaigns, and a passion for civic engagement, Turner offers sharp, accessible insight into the political and social issues shaping our region and country. He was selected by the University of British Columbia for an Honorary Doctor of Laws for his significant contribution to the community. He also writes articles as QueerGranddad on Substack.
