Diversity Rules Magazine

4 Diversity Rules Magazine June 2019 Jim Koury is the Editor/Publisher of Diversity Rules Magazine, an alterna- ve focus publica on primarily dealing with the gay community's concerns and issues, along with issuesof diversity generally. He is an ac vist who is not afraid to ruffle some feathers. His main objec- ve is to get people to think and think for themselves. He espouses Aristotle's man- tra, "It is the mark of an educated mind to entertain a thought without accept- ing it." Jim does not force his views on others but just puts them out there for folks to think about and discard if they wish June has arrived and with it comes the beginning of Pride Season! It is that special me of year when queer folk and allies throughout the na on and the world come together to cel- ebrate their individuality, and the di- versity of our humanity. More importantly, it is a me for us to re- member those who put their lives on the line back in 1969, on that hot, summer night in NYC when a group of patrons at the Stonewall Inn rebelled against police persecu on. They pushed back when the bar was once again raided by police, like so many mes before, simply because it was a gay bar. We must keep the memory of those who stood their ground that night and said, "NO MORE." Li le did these brave patrons know that their ac- on that night would reverberate around the world, and foster what would become the modern-day gay rights movement. Unfortunately, many of our youth of today have no clue about the rebellion and why we march in the streets in the month of June. There are also many in our community who believe we no longer need pride celebra ons. They think we should assimilate into the greater society because of the advancements made since that conten ous night in 1969. Nothing could be further from the truth, especially given the current toxic poli cal en- vironment in which we must endure. I believe those in the queer community who feel assimila on and being like everyone else is the path we should take are as delusional as those who think Trump is doing a good job as President. We are a unique group of people who have fought long and hard for the rights we have. There are s ll places in this country that discriminate based on one's gender iden ty and sexual orienta on. There are places in this country that wish to deny basic rights to people because of their gen- der iden ty and sexual orien- ta on. To idly sit back and say we no longer need to celebrate our unique diversity is an abdi- ca on of our obliga on to speak out on behalf of those who can- not or those who are not ready to do so for themselves. We must reject these a empts to play down the importance of pride celebra- ons. We are not all the same. We are differ- ent. We are individuals, not an acronym. We are the essence of the spirit of diversity in our na on and around the world. To assimilate and not hold pride celebra ons would be to deny our uniqueness and lessen the memory of the trailblazers that ignited the spark of our movement so many years ago. Yes, in a lot of ways we are like everyone else. We are human beings with feelings, aspira ons, health issues, and other such things everyone else experi- ences. However, we ARE uniquely different simply because of who we are, and who we love, and we are discriminated against because of that inherent difference. I am grateful that many embrace and support me. Yet, there are many mes I s ll wish to commune only with those like me, that in mately understand the struggles we face as an LGBTQ community. To Pride In 2019 The Times They Are A Changin' By Jim Koury, Editor/Publisher

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