From the Publisher: Pride is our connection to each other

By Jerry Cunningham

I recently met an amazing woman by the name of Page Hodel – and if you have never heard of her book Monday Hearts for Madalene, you need to check it out. It’s a book of photos about the relationship between Page, an artist and the book’s author, and Madeline – the woman Page fell in love with just before Madelene was diagnosed with cancer. When Madelene was ill, Page would surprise her regularly with hearts arranged from the stuff of ordinary life – buttons, clothespins, bungee cord, even asparagus. After Madelene passed away, Page continued to make them – love letters in visual form – photographed them, and sent the images to others, sharing what inspired her with the whole world.

Those who received the gestures were often so touched they sent them on, and in one case a woman living as far away as Serbia reached out to Page to thank her for sharing her love through her heart art.

I believe that there is truly a reason that everything happens in the world. Meeting Page reminded me that life is about celebration. Life is about sharing. Life is about living fully and serving others. I sometimes get too wrapped up in how the struggles in my own life and in the world affect me, but after meeting Page, I was reminded that life is not about what you get or how you feel. It’s about what you can give to others – and when you do, almost magically, it seems, the struggles we face in our own lives don’t seem to weigh as heavily.

And here we are on the eve of PrideFest. I can only imagine the flurry of activity among all those who are planning to participate. That extra time you’re spending at the gym. The money you plan to spend on that perfect outfit to wear. And the planning that goes into your social and activities calendar. There are so many things to see and do during PrideFest. It’s a tall order. Heck, just ask the staff here at Out Front. It’s like they’re in one of RuPaul’s Drag Race challenges where they have to get in face, replicate a Vera Wang hand-beaded evening gown, and make a matching outfit for their favorite pet in 15 minutes or less. Ha! They have been busy trying to make this issue perfect for everyone, and I certainly hope you enjoy it.

But it’s for a reason. At Out Front we believe every person and culture is a worthy and vibrant contribution to the fabric of our community – that we are all worthy and vibrant contributions to each other. Pride is the time of year to celebrate those who came before us. Those who forged the very path we walk today. Those who had the courage and dared to do the right thing, and who reached out – came out – in the face of fear. Pride is our opportunity to share and learn from our past and to commit to living our lives fully while serving others. Out Front is committed to providing our community – and its allies – a powerful media platform to educate, celebrate and activate that belief.

So in honor of life, love, celebration, Madelene, and Vera Wang,

I encourage you to live Pride to the fullest – and remember how magical the gift of giving can be. So give big, and have a blast doing it!