Happy Pride Month 2025
Not a technical post today, but one that has an impact on me and who I am.
Please note, this is a personal blog, meaning nothing I publish here will relate to my employer.
Why Does Pride Month Matter To Me?
I'll cut to the chase, I'm a proudly out cis gay man. I've been with my partner for ten years as of the time of writing, who I absolutely love to bits.
I don't run to every person I see and tell them this fact, but it's a core part of who I am. Those who know me personally would probably tell you that it's not a topic that comes up all the time but it's a passing comment or two. I'd much rather talk about games, code, the web, cosplay, anime - The hobbies and interests that I really get geeky about.
Most people tell me they didn't realise I was gay until it comes up in conversation - and often it gets met with this moment of either realisation ("Oh, that makes sense now"), or aghast befuddlement ("Oh, you're one of THEM"). I've had conversations like both of those, both in professional and personal settings.
It still affects how people perceive me. We live in a time where we see vile rhetoric spat out at people who just want to live their lives. I've been in pleasant, civil conversations, which sour when the question of partners comes up and I mention my partner is another man. Suddenly, some people want nothing to do with me, or the conversation just ends very quickly, despite how pleasant the conversation was before this new knowledge.
This still happens to me, regularly, in 2025.
Who I am shouldn't be a barrier to communication.
That's why Pride month is important to me. We have come so far as a society, but yet LGBTQ+ folks are still reviled by some sections.
Why The Flag?
People and organisations hang flags up every year in June, to celebrate Pride month. The header of this site will now have a Pride flag displayed every year. After all, this site is my corner of the internet, so I'll display the flag proudly. I've opted for the Progress flag, as some of my best friends are trans - and now, more than ever, they need our love and support.
Some people may be upset by this site now displaying a pride flag. I think that's okay. We all celebrate our identity, regardless of who we are. This is just a small homage to who I am and the people who matter to me. For the people who finds pride flags offensive, I won't apologise for displaying one. Just like I'd never expect you to apologise for who you are, I will display that small flag every year. It is the least I can do.
I'll do more with the flag soon. I'll do a tutorial on how I got the flag effect in pure css and html at some point. Perhaps I'll do all of the flags?
Until then, thanks for reading. To all the LGBTQ+ folks who may read this, you're seen, you matter, you're loved. To all ally's reading this, thank you. Your support is so important to us.
Much love and happy tinkering folks - Timlah