Identity
Essential Guide for First-Time Pilgrims: Preparing for Amarnath Yatra
Essential Guide for First-Time Pilgrims: Preparing for the Amarnath Yatra The Amarnath Yatra is one of the most sacred pilgrimages in India, attracting thousands of devotees every year. Located in the breathtaking Himalayas, the Amarnath Cave houses the holy ice lingam of Lord Shiva, making it a spiritual haven for Hindus. However, the journey to this divine destination is not just spiritually enriching but also physically demanding. If you’re planning your first Amarnath Yatra, it’s crucial to prepare thoroughly to ensure a safe and memorable experience. Here’s a comprehensive guide with essential tips to help you prepare for this incredible pilgrimage.
By Ramesh Mahato 2 years ago in Pride
The Thirteenth Year
The number 13: there are two reasons why this number holds dear and near to me. The first being that I was born on the 13th of November and the second is today, I celebrate my 13th coming out anniversary. February 20, 2012, was a scary, yet joyous moment in my life. While many people have since stopped being friends with me because of me coming out as a gay man, there are others who love and accept me for who I am. I knew that I liked guys at a very young age, but my now estranged parents, made it difficult for me to fully express myself. I had to act and look a certain way around them. To them, being yourself is wrong and they think something is wrong with you. I had to hide my true self for about the next 20 years, because I grew up in the 90s, at a time when being gay was a taboo topic and not accepted by society.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 2 years ago in Pride
All About Ella. Content Warning.
I know I’m aesthetically pleasing, I see it when I look in the mirror every goddamn day. Yet men always feel the need to tell me that I’m beautiful as if it’s news to me, as if they’re the first person to say it to me, and not the 5th dude to stop me to tell me so today when I’m just trying to go out, do groceries, and go home. I’ve been trying to make myself look more masc, more androgynous, less appealing to the male gaze, but because of my beauty it doesn’t seem to matter what I do, men will continue to stop me and expect me to swoon as they repeatedly disturb my peace.
By Her Ellaness♿️2 years ago in Pride
One Is the Loneliest Number
February 14: the day that I always dread Why is that you ask? I'll touch on the reasons why towards the end of this story. I tend to keep my personal romantic relationships relatively private. However, I believe that being open and transparent about my love life is necessary. I'll share a story about two separate relationships I was in and why they failed.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 2 years ago in Pride
Cindy and Chris
Cindy trembled as her stepmother berated her, yelling profanities and slurs like they were her names. Nancy had taken over the doublewide trailer since Cindy’s sweet, caring father had died suddenly a year earlier, and Ms. Stone was a raging alcoholic. Because Cindy’s father was so loving and accepting, she had fully transitioned in middle school to living her life as a girl, but her drunk stepmother didn’t really like the fact that Cindy identified as a woman. She would point out any masculine features remaining, and say Cindy would never truly pass for a girl.
By Jarrod Geiger2 years ago in Pride
Comeback. Top Story - February 2025.
When I first started thinking about this challenge, I thought about the word renewal. The end of my 22 year marriage last year had me feeling all kinds of ways that were both dysregulating and exhausting, and my initial thought was that I should focus on rebirth, starting over as something and someone less stressed, less broken, and less worn down. My kids deserve a primary parent who can match their energy and respond to their needs with more patience, and the way things were going left me wanting to better figure out how to again be that dad that they deserve. These goals, however, didn't really seem like enough. An important baseline, perhaps, but what else could I aim for?
By F Cade Swanson2 years ago in Pride
