“God made you this way and loves you this way, and the pope loves you this way.” – Pope Francis

Showing pride in who you are sounds easy. But there are many people in the world, and in our own country, who aren’t able to fully live who they are, and be prideful of who they are. As many may know, June is Pride Month. But what exactly does Pride Month mean?

Pride is the positive stance against discrimination and violence toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people to promote their self-affirmation, dignity, equality rights, increase their visibility as a social group, build community, and celebrate sexual diversity and gender variance (Wikipedia).

Within the last few years, I have come to understand why the LGBTQ+ community celebrates Pride month. There is so much oppression, inequality, discrimination, etc. The LGBTQ+ community should not have to live their lives in fear. Pride, to me, is to show your community, your city, your state, your country, the world, that you are proud of who you are and that you will not live in fear.

I haven’t always felt this way. Coming from a conservative state, coming out was hard. Knowing that a majority of the people around you don’t support you or think that you are less human makes you live in fear, makes you hid who you truly are.

I have really held back on showing who I am for many years. There are only a handful of people who I have truly shown who I am and feel comfortable being myself around. I was never one to throw my sexuality in people’s faces. In fact, I tried to hid it. I was never comfortable wearing anything or say things that would give it away. However, the last two years I have gotten a lot more comfortable with myself and showing who I am.

I recently bought a rainbow bracelet, subtle rainbow, that I wear daily. It reminds me daily not only to be proud of who I am and to be myself but it also shows other LGBTQ+ people that they can confide in me and be their true person around me. Sometimes just seeing that rainbow puts you at ease.

So this Pride, I’m not hiding who I am. I’m allowing others to see the true me and to not be afraid of “a little gay” comes out. It’s who I am.

I also want to challenge people not in the LGBTQ+ community to celebrate Pride with us! If you believe in humanity and equality, you have a lot to be proud of, too. So, show your support to the LGBTQ+ community any way you can.

No one should have to hid who they are or who they love. Love is love is love is love.