By Shawn Blackhawk

Growing up in America's Heartland, Shawn Blackhawk used her poetry from an early age to express herself. Her philosophy has always been: "I'll try anything once." She uses her words like a brush, painting vivid pictures, evoking as much emotion from her readers as she can. She appreciates struggles, as they pave the road to triumph, and firmly believes that the darkest parts of the human mind and soul are the only way to eventually celebrate the light. She has been recognized for Illuminating Digital Publishing Excellence by Jenkins Group (eLit Awards) and was the 2011 Silver Medal Finalist for the Electronically Published Internet Collation (EPIC Awards). Shawn's poetry book can be purchased at L-Book.com.

It’s June. And for the LGBTQ community, this means Pride Month. It’s hard to narrow down one thing that makes this month special for me.

What is the one thing that makes me PROUD to be the lesbiAunt I am?

Is it that gay marriage is legal in 12 states now?
One of which is Maryland, the state I live in. The state where I stood in front of church, surrounded by friends and family, and married the woman of my dreams. Yes, I’m proud of that.

Is it the fight that has been going on for years for equality?
Stonewall in 1969, the first Gay Pride parade in 1970, the assassination of Harvey Milk, the AIDS crisis of the 1980’s, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) in the 1990’s, DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) in 1996, Ellen coming out in 1997, Matthew Shephard’s death in 1998, 2000 saw the boycotting of gay young men and leaders of the Boy Scouts, and on and on. There are so many, it’s hard to choose just one.

But after much thought and consideration, I finally decided on the topic of Pride that means the most to me – the one that most young gays and lesbians have no clue about, and which straight people have most likely never heard. It’s the story of our symbol – the symbol that above all else says “GAY” in a big pink way. Yes, I’m talking about the Pink Triangle.

The Pink Triangle

This story actually starts way back in 1933. This was the year that the Nazi’s began rounding up the people that didn’t fit their ideal of who was worthy of freedom, and in some cases, life. Each “type” of person rounded up by the Nazi’s were given a colored symbol that allowed officers to know with whom they were interacting, and help other prisoners find their own “kind.” There was the yellow Star of David, which most people knew meant “Jewish.” Red Triangles meant “Liberal.” Green Triangles were for lifelong “Felons.” The Purple Triangle was for “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” The “Black Triangle” stood for many things: Roma-s, alcoholics, vagrants, pacifists,  resisters, prostitutes, anarchists and drug addicts. The “Brown Triangle” was for gypsies. The “Pink Triangle” (an upside-down triangle) was for homosexuals.

Now, there were many variations on these badges. There were doubles, two colors, uninverted, etc. The Nazi’s were very interested in making sure everyone who was different was well known, singled out, shamed and easily identified as targets for cruelty.

Now, the “Pink Triangle” has been made into a symbol of Pride – a symbol that we, as a group once designated as degenerates, can claim and use to assert with full confidence that we are human and just like everyone else.

Inversion of the Triangle

What I have a hard time with, is the inversion of the triangle. Yes, we survived. Yes, we are a strong group, working hard in each and every state to win the equality we deserve as Americans. We have come a long way, fought hard, and will continue to do so. But it bothers me that along the way, we decided to reverse the Triangle.

I know that the symbol carries so many horrid memories of a time many would like to forget. Yet, I wish our community had chosen to OWN the triangle and all the memories, connotations and racial bigotry that still comes with wearing one – to use it not only as a sign of pride, but as a symbol of a people who refuse to bow to the hatred of others. I’m sad that the younger generation – our own nieces and nephews – and some heterosexuals, don’t even know what it is, or where it came from. They think it’s something that we made up to identify ourselves, to draw attention to the homosexual community.

So while I’ll respect those who choose to use the Pink Triangle right-side-up as their way of identifying who they are, I’ll pass – with the rather large, very pink triangle tattoo on my neck, upside down. It shows that I choose willingly to draw attention not only to my sexuality, but to the triumph our community has risen to through the years.

Marching With My Nephews

This June, I’ll march with Pride. It will be the first Pride I’ve taken my nephews to. I think this is the first year they are old enough to understand that it’s important. They may not know all the story, but someday, I’ll tell them. They’ll know where my people have been and where we are heading. But this year I’ll have a little help with the marching and the bearing of the weight of those who fought hard for us to get to this point upon my shoulders. Or should I say neck? Happy Pride month, everyone!

Published: June 7, 2013