Pride Month

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month, and I’ve been reflecting on what Pride Month means to me. When I began my transition in 2012; I was a junior in high school, depressed, suicidal, and felt very lost. I didn’t understand where my feelings were coming from or why I felt so uncomfortable in my own skin. Gender identity and sexual orientation were not topics that I learned about at school. If they were I may not have experienced so much harassment, shame, and guilt. As I think about how far I’ve come since 2012, I often think about the community of people who supported me along my journey. Some of those individuals identify as LGBTQ+ and others are allies. Without my community, I would not be where I am today. Throughout my life, I have learned so much about myself, about others, and about the systemic issues our world is facing. 

There is a lot of hate in our world right now directed towards the LGBTQ+ community. There are hundreds of anti-trans bills attempting to be passed in our country and some have been passed. These bills take away basic human rights, mental health support, life saving and essential medical care, and send people to jail for being supportive and safe. Some of these bills are sending parents to jail simply for loving and accepting their children fully and authentically. We often react out of fear when we don’t know how to respond to situations or are experiencing something new that may be outside of our comfort zone. 

Sometimes things will feel uncomfortable and we have the opportunity to either learn or hide from those feelings. To overcome fear we must be open to learning. I love having conversations with others and listening to their experiences. I have had abundant opportunities to share how I see and experience the world and get to hear how others see and experience the world; for that, I am grateful. It can be eye opening to listen to the stories of others and have the opportunity to see the world through someone else’s lens. I may not fully understand how everyone else views the world, however, that does not mean that I can’t be open-minded, empathetic, and supportive of others. 

Take a moment to reflect on the core values of those who make up your community. Regardless of gender, identity, and sexual orientation, what is it about those people that make you feel seen, heard, supported, and valued? Don’t be afraid of people who are different from you. Take the opportunity to engage in a conversation and share with one another why you feel the way you do. That is how we will build a stronger community. Everyone deserves to have a place on this earth and live as their whole authentic selves. There is nothing wrong with you. We need more kindness, compassion, and empathy to fill the world with love and light. I want you to remember, there is no place for darkness to hide when there is an abundance of light.

Happy Pride!