I went to Pride in Tennessee and witnessed love, not indoctrination

I entered the grounds of the Franklin Pride festival in Tennessee on June 3 expecting to see conflict.

Do you blame me? The resistance to the pride festival back in early April was enough to gain national attention. The event barely made it out of a 5-4 city Board of Aldermen vote that was decided by Mayor Ken Moore. Those who opposed the festival said they believed sexualization and indoctrination would be on display.

Walking into the festival grounds entrance after getting my purple wristband, I was met by mothers holding signs that read "free mom hugs." I watched as young kids embraced the mothers with hugs. Though they were strangers, they were connected by a universal sign of compassion and care.

There were people of all ages wearing the colors that represent nonbinary, pansexuality and of course the LGBTQ+ pride colors. The record breaking crowd was full of smiles and joy.

I find it hard to see that as indoctrination.

Tennessee drag law ruling: A judge ruled Tennessee drag law unconstitutional and citizens are better off

Finding a place to be you

When I lived at the Shepherd's House homeless shelter in Tullahoma, Tennessee, I bunked with a young gay couple in their early 20s. They were both quiet and mostly kept to themselves, which was normal for newcomers. But I discovered their reservation originated in fear that they would be judged.

One day I decided to talk with them because I learned lending an ear is about the best thing you can do for a person without giving money. And as I thought, it worked.

They were living with one of their grandmothers, but she disapproved of their relationship. The fighting became too much for all of them, so the couple decided to leave.

I chose to listen to them and hear the pain in their voice. They were searching for a place to be accepted, to find peace.

Among the 4.2 million homeless youths, up to 40% identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, according to the National Network for Youth.

I met two of them years ago. And I hope they found a welcoming place. And a hug.

What are we really fighting about?

I will not believe that people who seek refuge, whose goal in life is just to embrace their loved ones in a hug, are trying to indoctrinate a whole nation.

If we want to get rid of indoctrination, great, let's do that. We can start with the Christian indoctrination that told me being biracial was a sin and I was a mistake. Did I upset you with that? Maybe because attributing one belief to an entire group is a little foolish, don't ya think?

LGBTQ inclusion is good business: Businesses that practice real Pride Month allyship will be on the right side of history

For the people of Franklin, their city was divided over something as basic as a festival. If we care so much about children, why don't we ensure they have a town that chooses to embrace everyone?

It is only the beginning of June, which means there are more Pride festivals to come. Instead of screaming at one another about what set of values and beliefs are better for kids, let's allow them to make their own decisions.

And whatever the outcome, embrace them with a hug. Because that's what they'll remember.

LeBron Hill is an opinion columnist for the Paste BN Network Tennessee, where this column was first published, and the curator of the Black Tennessee Voices newsletter and Instagram account. Follow him on Twitter: @hill_bron