One of the Pride events I attended last year was outside, with a variety of acts, including a really fun drag queen who did a joyous sing and dance along there in the public park.
And when she was done, and coming off the stage, I saw a pre-teen approach, a pride flag clasped around their shoulds like a cape, a sketchbook hugged to their chest.
"Excuse me. May I draw you?"
It was said with such hope, and such respect, and I winced anyway. The Queen had just put on a hell of a show, and she'd been paid for her skills, and she had to have been exhausted. I expected her to say no, and honestly, I would've thought that was her right.
But she looked down at this child, and flicked her hair back, and said, "Honey, for you? I. WILL. POSE."
And then she did, perched on the edge of a stone wall, in the June sunshine, as a young artist sat in the grass and filled pages of their sketchbook. For 30 minutes or so, she posed and chatted with fans and laughed.
I will never forget that kindness. May we all be so welcome.