Denver’s Pride Parade in Colorado, USA, witnessed a heartwarming display of acceptance and growth as a self-proclaimed “recovering bigot” donned a rainbow garland and held a sign that read, “Recovering bigot. I am sorry. Free hugs.”
A TikTok user captured several heartfelt moments of embrace between the man and fellow Pride-goers, sharing the powerful message of acknowledging past discriminatory beliefs and expressing genuine remorse. The TikTok user remarked, “To own up to your discriminatory beliefs and say: ‘I hear you, I see you, and I’m sorry,’ is top tier. Everyone could learn something here.”
@ooh_lalalivia WATCH UNTIL THE END!!! Thank you sir for owning up to prejudices & saying sorry! I wish everyone could learn something here. My heart is so full seeing the community so accepting of his apology. #denverpride #prideparade #denverprideparade #lgbtq #lgbtqcommunity #lgbtqally #loveislove ♬ original sound
Numerous individuals came forward to express their own experiences with previously holding anti-LGBTQ+ views and found inspiration in the man’s act of solidarity.
One person expressed, “Welcome to the good side, sir,” while another tearfully shared, “I was raised ultra-conservative and didn’t start having my own views and letting myself see more than one side until about a decade ago… I’m sobbing.”
A photograph of the man’s sign circulated on Twitter, prompting one user to highlight the significance of Pride as an opportunity for making amends. In response, a woman shared an image of her Pride outfit, featuring a sign that read, “I was quiet far too long… I am sorry for the harm the Church has caused you.”
For many Christians, #Pride month is a perfect opportunity to workout one’s confession and repentance muscles. A friend in Denver sent me this photo of a “recovering bigot” making flesh-on-flesh amends with the children of God he once maligned pic.twitter.com/vWTgDTfIqi
— Jonathan Merritt (@JonathanMerritt) June 26, 2023
Denver’s Pride Parade held particular significance this year as it marked the state’s first Pride event since the tragic mass shooting at Club Q, an LGBTQ+ bar in Colorado Springs, in November. Anderson Lee Aldrich, 23, recently pleaded guilty to 53 charges, including five counts of first-degree murder and 46 counts of attempted murder in the first-degree, and received a lengthy prison sentence of over 2,000 years.
Survivors of the Club Q shooting were honoured as grand marshals for the Pride parade, symbolizing resilience and the courage to fight back without fear. Club Q bartender Michael Anderson believed the event would serve as a “beautiful display” of strength and vigilance.
Denver Pride reported an impressive turnout, with over 500,000 people in attendance, highlighting the continued growth of support and celebration within the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.
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