For the first time, the Pride flag is flying at 性视界传媒 City Hall to celebrate Pride Month.

The move is seen as a 鈥渃elebration and acceptance鈥� of the rainbow community in 性视界传媒, said Martin Rooney, president of 性视界传媒 Pride.

Considering the state of affairs in the world these days, the message of love, acceptance and embracing diversity could not be more timely.

In one way, it鈥檚 encouraging to see that as a society, we are beginning to understand that everyone is unique, in some form or another. On the other hand, it鈥檚 sad to think that awareness campaigns such as Pride Month and other initiatives set forth by LGBTQ communities worldwide are even necessary.

But they are.

One of the most common misinformed arguments we hear from opponents to such initiatives as Pride Month is: 鈥淲hy don鈥檛 we have a Heterosexual Pride Month?鈥� The answer is simple: we don鈥檛 need one. Heterosexuals are not persecuted for the simple reason of loving someone that someone else deems inappropriate.

There was a time, not too long ago, where the LGBTQ community could look at the societal progress made toward discrimination and think, 鈥渢here will come a day鈥︹��

Sadly, even that concept has taken a giant leap backward these days. Diversity is everywhere; whether it is referring to skin colour, religious denomination, or sexual orientation.

We, as a species, should embrace our diversity. And, not just this month, but perhaps for many of us, starting this month, let鈥檚 be tolerant of others 鈥� as we would want them to be tolerant of us.

Hopefully, there comes a time when the need for Pride Month no longer exists.

鈥� Black Press Media