Biance Palese, 134 TESS
Back in the States, I always celebrated Pride month however I could. I’d usually partake in the joy by wearing rainbow earrings to work, putting flags in my lawn, going to the parades and supporting my friends however they invited me to. With the chaos that is my life at site, I am continuously figuring out how to survive in my new environment and I honestly haven’t really thought about Pride. It’s a little selfish but I basically forgot. That was until this day.
As I was hastily pacing around the school’s admin room with my English flashcards scattered across the floor, the laminator in overdrive and the printer surely plotting its revenge, two of my students poked their heads in the door and asked if they could come in. They were holding The Game of Life, English edition, and asked if I could help them play. I pushed my mountain of paper clippings to the side and let them set up the game.
As you may know, the first step is to pick your car and put your little peg-person in the driver’s seat. My student Nawn (he/him) grabbed the pink car and clapped his hands with excitement. I told the kids that the blue peg is a “phuu-chai” (boy) and the pink is a “phuu-ying” (girl), and honestly, I wasn’t surprised at all when Nawn asked for the pink peg and put her in the driver’s seat. I notice him in the halls dancing with his girl friends and see how he always asks them to borrow their scout hats to wear with his uniform. He’s adorable, bright, kind and I love seeing him around campus. His smile as he danced around with his pink-peg was enchanting. When we got to the part of the game that the players pick a spouse he jumped for joy as he placed his husband in the car with him. His friend smiled along and they giggled together.
And so, it’s occurred to me that I don’t need to go to a parade or have a flag handy in order to be a good ally. Celebrating Pride at site can be as simple and silly as asking students what peg they want instead of handing them one, then cheering along with them as they marry their imaginary partner. A grand gesture is fun but everyday acceptance and compassion is what counts. I look forward to seeing all the ways my student’s choose to express themselves over the next couple years.
Happy Pride to my lovely community here, at home, and all over the world.
Sticky Rice 