As a queer community, we have a unique opportunity to unite by simply living authentically and sharing our stories with others. This PRIDE Month, I find myself reflecting on what this celebration truly means – the incredible strength that a community can provide to one another. After navigating the challenges of the past year, we have come together as a human race to confront uncertainties and seek answers. Similarly, PRIDE Month is about healing divisions, uniting what once seemed fractured, and exploring the endless possibilities of collaboration.
Our queer community is inherently diverse, and this is where our experiences overlap with those of our non-queer neighbors. We are all part of a larger tapestry of humanity, filled with various interests, family structures, jobs, and resources. According to the Census Bureau in 2020, there were 543,000 same-sex married couples, 469,000 same-sex unmarried couples, and 191,000 children living with same-sex parents in the United States. For me, PRIDE Month is not only about the festivities and parades, although those are enjoyable and important, but also about creating connections between cisgender families and queer families. I believe that by living openly with my queer family and sharing my experiences through writing, I can contribute to this bridge-building.
Words hold immense power, and by sharing my family’s story, I highlight our commonalities. Your cisgender family shares the same responsibilities as my queer family – we manage bills, enroll our kids in activities, register for summer camps, and shop for groceries, just like every other family. Our aspirations are alike, and what I envision for this PRIDE Month is a world where justice and equity are attainable for all. I am thankful for our allies and for those in the queer community who feel secure enough to use their voices and privileges to advocate for change.
In an interview with LAMBDA Literary, author and educator, Ava Lane, discusses the importance of embracing our identities: “Accepting myself and my perspective without apology is crucial. Too often, we feel the need to apologize for our existence or opinions. I strive to be kinder to myself and to others.” We can also embody this spirit. We can foster self-compassion while remaining mindful of the feelings of others. We can opt for kindness over animosity, and choose empathy over indifference.
As a community, we possess significant power. We can bridge two different worlds, leading to understanding and compassion, all grounded in respect. As Alice Walker said, “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” Together, we can build stronger communities instead of allowing division to persist. PRIDE Month offers us a chance to reflect on the kind of individuals we aspire to be and how we can cultivate a more resilient community. It also serves as a moment to learn from our queer neighbors and introduce conversations that educate our families – both queer and cisgender – about the diverse identities around us, including trans and nonbinary families. Remember, we have the power to make a difference, and it all begins with our words.
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