Today is the last day of PRIDE. It is more than a parade or celebration. It is a month-long affair to amplify and resolve pertinent LGBTQI+ issues such as equality and inclusion in our humankind.

Everytime I see viral videos of LGBTQI+ members, especially the young ones who are in funny clips (for example; dancing in the street sexually or beauty pageant as a laughing stock), I also ask myself — is this a good way to portray our community?

It is entertaining. Yes. However, I also believe that when we nurture a society prevalent of these portrayals, we should also (much more) nurture a society where LGBTQI+ members are commended and honoured (shared on social media) for their great contributions, in all sectors, to our nation.

When we promote and highlight inspiring stories from the LGBTQI+ community, we inculcate a sense of pride, that the LGBTQI+ members do and can represent well (and admiringly) in all aspects of our lives. We gradually progress as a society — informed, aware and welcoming — until such time when there is no need to heed the call for representation and inclusion, until such time when it becomes a norm.

It’s Father’s Day! I wonder how it feels to have a father. Really.

You see, I was born without a father. He died when I was less than a year old. Three months, I was told.

I never saw him, not even in a picture. My mom lost all the photographs. Family members and neighbours said that I could see him if I looked at myself in the mirror. He was me, I am him kind of story – a physical replica of myself. Perhaps, I can talk to him, to myself. But that will appear and sound strange, right?

Growing up, I never felt the lack of having a father. How would I know when I never had one?

In our world now, when all genders can be men, all genders can be fathers, do we need a specific (exclusive) term to celebrate fatherhood and paternal relationships, culture? In the meantime, Happy Father’s Day to everyone.