PRIDE is an Evolution

By Dan Bobeczko
June is PRIDE month. What exactly does that mean though? For some, PRIDE is a time to remember the historical struggles of those in the LGBTQ+ community: the hiding, persecution, and stigma. For some, PRIDE is an analysis of political progress from Stonewall to Marriage Equality. Others will celebrate “coming out” and anniversaries, while some will remember those who have passed - having missed out on the opportunity to partake in a month of reflection and sharing. Each individual, whether a member of the community or an ally, comes to PRIDE at different stages of their journeys, with different lived experiences and different lenses, which makes celebrating PRIDE unique. PRIDE is an evolution.

Having come out later in life, PRIDE for me was something that I observed from the sidelines, curious but cautious. Meeting my partner (now husband) and joining Cleveland’s Gay Men’s Chorus (the North Coast Men’s Chorus) was a way to slowly become involved in the community with greater opportunities to explore the facets that help make up PRIDE: historical perspectives, shared experiences, and a sense of belonging.

PRIDE, for me, took on a deeper meaning in June of 2015 when Marriage Equality allowed me to propose after 15 years of partnership. Being afforded the same rights as all citizens was liberating and cause for long-awaited celebration. “Curious and cautious” gave way to “grateful and guarded.”

Joining the Hawken family for the 2019-2020 school year was an enlightening experience. An LGBTQ+ Affinity Group and a schoolwide mission statement with a commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice provided a long-awaited personal and professional safe space that had been missing in my life. Participation in gatherings and activities with staff has widened my sphere of perspectives and experiences and has continued to build that sense of community and belonging - so much so that this is the first year I’ve felt comfortable enough to hang a PRIDE flag from our home! (*The one I ordered ended up being quite large - so it needed to be draped from a 2nd story window!) A post about it to a neighborhood Facebook group received over 250 likes - another reaffirming sign from another supportive community! While I may not be leading the parade, I’m slowly moving toward “excited and engaged!” PRIDE is an evolution!

Dr. Bobeczko (left) served as the 2nd & 3rd Grade Remote Learning Coach this school year and will be co-teaching the 1st & 2nd Grade Multi-Age Class next year at the Lower School.
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An independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school, toddler through grade 12

Early Childhood, Lower, and Middle Schools, 5000 Clubside Rd, Lyndhurst, OH 44124
Birchwood School of Hawken, 4400 West 140th Street, Cleveland, OH 44135 

Upper School, PO Box 8002 (12465 County Line Rd), Gates Mills, OH 44040
Mastery School of Hawken, 11025 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106

Gries Center, 10823 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106

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