Here at the Happiness Box Project Initiative, I welcome everyone. Regardless of who you are, you are loved and welcome. June is Pride Month for the LGBT (as well as asexual and questioning) Community and cities around the world are celebrating.
Toronto and the Toronto Blue Jays celebrated last night, as did New York City, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Philadelphia. I didn’t realize Philadelphia was celebrating until I listened to NPR. I decided to check out the block party that the Gayborhood was holding after I finished roller skating.
Let me tell you, I am glad I did! Before I could really enjoy the festivities, I was starving and I needed to eat. I didn’t quite find a gluten-free restaurant, but I thought iCandy could do the trick. They didn’t really have much of a gluten-free selection, but I found something that would hold me over.
What a wonderful meal! Wonderful staff too. A gentleman said to me, “those fries smell good.” I responded, “I hope so. I recently had to go gluten-free, and this is one of the few things I can eat on the menu. I had a salad for lunch.” He empathized and said, “that’s okay. You are strong, and you will adjust in due time.” This kindness made me smile. We chatted for a bit, and he was all kindness.
I met a whole bunch of people, chatted with them, and enjoyed the festivities. One couple I met welcomed me to the first Pride event I ever attended not at a university. I danced and even tried to ride a mechanical shark. Staying on the mechanical shark wasn’t successful, though.
Tomorrow I plan on attending the Pride Parade. I stand with the LBGT Community and everyone else!
The Happiness Box Project 
Hi, Jessica Marie!
I am very proud of you for standing with the LBGT Community and showing support by attending their Pride block party. I stand with them, too. I once rode a mechanical bull in a bar. I never even saw a mechanical shark before.
I am also very proud of you for making it clear, in print and in word and deed, that everyone is welcome on your blog and in your life. I am in my late 60s and have experienced age discrimination for years. I have also experienced gender discrimination, having been marginalized and made to feel alienated in a blog community that is predominately female. The friendship you and I have maintained for several years proves that you don’t need to meet an exact clone of yourself to find common ground and build a great friendship. I hope the weather is good for today’s Pride Parade.
Happy Sunday, dear friend JM!
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