These Shoes

June 30, 2023

Look at these shoes. I call these my rainbow shoes. Yes, they are Pride shoes. I’ve worn them many times, in fact you can probably find me wearing them in many pictures in my feed. Do they look beat up? A bit. You can’t really make it out in this picture, but they are coming apart in a few places. Why am I telling you this? Because I want to tell you a story: a story of what these shoes mean to me. You could call these shoes one of my very first openly queer purchases. I bought them sometime in 2016, and despite me coming out in 2014, I hadn’t really bought anything like these shoes. In the years since, they have made me feel many things: happy, empowered, end so much more.

However, as I retire these shoes today, I can’t help but feel concern. These days, many LGBT-related objects seem to quickly result in swift backlash from hateful people. We’re seeing targeted backlash against the queer community. From the most salient bans on gender-affirming care for trans people, to “Don’t Say Gay”, to book bans, to drag bans, to social outrage about pride products. Two days ago came another blow. The highest court in the land has effectively given individuals and businesses to discriminate against the LGBT+ community. This latest decision has the potential to undo decades worth of protections and progress. I fear those who seek to hate will only be further emboldened by the ruling.

What will the next person wearing rainbow shoes feel? Will they feel empowered, like I have, or will the feel that wearing rainbow shoes will get them singled out? What kind of future are we creating for ourselves and everyone around us? All I know right now is that there are almost certainly some difficult days ahead. It will take a while for us to restore and ensure progress. Let’s get there by always making our voices heard and living our lives as ourselves. As for me, don’t worry, I already have a new pair of rainbow shoes to help me accomplish those things.

P.S. Yes, I’m keeping the original pair because of the sentimental value I place in them.