Happy Pride!
MV Pride logo; Source: Ashlyn
June is designated as Pride month to commemorate the Stonewall Riots, a series of protests by the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual) community in response to a police raid in 1969. Pride month is used to educate individuals on LGBTQIA+ history, fight for LGBTQIA+ rights, and celebrate contributions that LGBTQIA+ individuals have made worldwide.
Last Fall, ‘MV Pride’ was created to bring LGBTQIA+ members of The Marching Virginians together into a safe space where they can be their truest selves. Now with over ten percent of The MVs in this group, members can question themselves freely, advocate for equality and diversity, and learn from each other every day. So, what better way to celebrate Pride than to share the experiences of a few of our LGBTQIA+ MVs?
What is your gender identity?
“Female.” - Leah
“Female.” - Rachel
“I don’t really believe in gender identity. I just know that I am me.” - Connor
“Female.” - Kat
What pronouns do you use?
Kat spinning a flag during rehearsal!; Source: Lexie Hackman
“She/her.” - Leah
“She/her and they/them, used whenever and however!” - Natilyn
“She/her/hers.” - Rachel
“He/they, either is fine.” - Connor
“She/they- I’m comfortable as a woman, but also gender is a social construct and we should normalize gender neutral terms.” - Kat
“She/her and they/them.” - Nikki
Why are pronouns important?
Nikki smiling with their trombone on gameday!; Source: Facebook
“They are part of everyone’s identity! It’s one way a person can feel more comfortable as themselves.” - Nikki
“Purposefully using incorrect pronouns is invalidating, and the abundance of different pronouns that exist help break down the concept of gender only existing as a binary system.” - Rachel
What is your sexual orientation?
“Bisexual.” - Natilyn
“Bisexual.” - Connor
“Gay.” - Nikki
“Bisexual.” - Kat
“Lesbian/gay.” - Rachel
What is your favorite thing about being part of the LGBTQIA+ community?
“There are so many different people! All ages, all cultures, all backgrounds are represented. It’s cool meeting so many people and having one thing to relate with but so much to learn from them.” - Natilyn
“Intersectionality! People of different backgrounds coming together to celebrate love!” - Nikki
“The community is so welcoming. I’ve been lucky enough to go to one Pride festival- the energy there was unlike anything else.” - Kat
“It’s validating to have people that understand you and your experiences. I also love the connections I’ve made and the idea of not fitting into a box.” - Rachel
Rachel playing her clarinet on gameday!; Source: Bob White
What does MV Pride mean to you?
“MV Pride means a lot to me. I am not out to my family, and coming out isn’t really an option, so it’s nice to have a group of people I can really be myself around and know that I will be accepted and loved.” - Connor
“What I love most is how open everyone is to discussing topics that aren’t always easy to discuss. It has become a great support system, especially since COVID has made it hard to get to know new people. I also love that it gives more closeted people an opportunity to safely talk about their experiences and feel like they aren’t alone.” - Rachel
“Feeling safe and supported in the group we love! The MVs are a big family with many people coming from different places, so when you feel listened to and respected, it makes a huge difference in how you feel about being in the space.” - Nikki
“Being proud of who I am and who *we* are because this organization will always support me and everyone else.” - Leah
Leah showing her Hokie spirit and smile!; Source: Beau Wong
What is one thing that individuals can do to be a better LGBTQIA+ ally?
“Stick up for your LGBTQIA+ friends even when they aren’t around” - Nikki
“Love and accept people for all aspects of their identity and sexuality.” - Connor
“Listen. Don’t assume. Even if you don’t understand something, try to respect it.” - Kat
“Be respectful of things you don’t know. If you don’t know what something means, ask! If you don’t understand how to use someone’s pronouns, ask! It’s always better to learn than to ignore.” - Natilyn
“Educate yourself on LGBTQIA+ history and issues that LGBTQIA+ people face. Also, introduce yourself with your pronouns to help take away some of the burden and stress on LGBTQIA+ people associated with being misgendered.” - Rachel
The MVs thank you; Source: Alana Hassett
Practice makes perfect with learning anything new, so keep an open mind and open heart when learning about the LGBTQIA+ community. Just as the iconic sound of The MVs is formed through the harmonies of many different instruments, the harmonies between members with different backgrounds, gender identities, and sexual orientations make our ensemble that much more beautiful.