Today marked the 52nd anniversary
Of the Stonewall riots
In 1969
As well as the 51st anniversary
Of New York Pride.
It should have been a celebration.
A party.
A place of community,
And it was.
But also,
3 people died
In the hands of their protectors.
Hearing this
Made anger strike
In my mind.
Sadness,
Disappointment,
Fury,
Fear.
One of my hopes
For high school
Is to be in a safe enough space
That I can ask teachers
To use my pronouns.
Headlines
And stories
Flash through my mind
Every time I consider it,
Putting me in the place of
“I’ll ask someone if they’ve been safe”
Instead of
“People should respect me.”
One of my dreams
With my friends
Is to go on pride summer trips
In the years we can drive before college
And to visit parades
And celebrate.
I don’t know if I feel safe
Anymore.
And I can’t
Handle
Losing these people.
We need safety
And joy
And
Most of all
The murders
Need
To
Stop.