Happy Thanksgiving weekend — and if you’re like most Americans, two events take place during this holiday.
First, you most likely had a Thanksgiving dinner with family or with friends, and during that lovingly made dinner of turkey, ham or prime rib and side dishes of stuffing, mashed potatoes, yams, and corn, you said something like, “What do we all have thanks for this season?” Then the discussions begun, and it seems that getting into a debate at Thanksgiving has in itself almost become a cliché. So if you’re not with friends or family, you might just be luckier then you thought.
Next, it’s going shopping. Let’s see; we have Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. And of course, there are those big doorbusters that make some line up on Thanksgiving Eve and brave the cold … So I might have an answer to both these issues.
Point one: Tell your family and friends how thankful you are to be a part of a community that has grown from invisibility to a vital political force in just under 50 years. Take pride in talking about your spouse — after all, that was part of our struggle.
And point two, when you shop, try and support LGBT-friendly businesses. Give gifts to support our community organizations, and don’t forget there are people in our community who may not be as fortunate as you. If you’re feeling isolated, there are community centers, senior and youth organizations that just want the chance to be of service to you … That’s what we have created over these last 50 years: a loving community trying to take care of its own.
Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the nation’s most-award-winning commentator in LGBT media. You can follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MarkSegalPGN or Twitter at https://twitter.com/PhilaGayNews.