I love celebrating people I love.

Pride month gives me a chance to celebrate loved ones near and far more prominently.

However, it also gives me the opportunity to reflect on my role as an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community beyond the month of June.

These are ways I will do better:

• I will support small, local businesses who are owned by LGBTQIA+ community members. Small business owners are working to put food on their table.
• I will follow and promote these small businesses on my socials. It costs nothing to share a story or write a review.
• I will go to events that promote and support.
• I will continue to educate myself through reading books. I’m getting ready to read This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson. I’m buying it from a small business in my community, because the copies at my library are all checked out and there’s a waiting list. Yay!
• I will continue to let my loved ones know how much I love them and support them.
• I will continue to be a safe space.

Here’s what I won’t do moving forward:

• I won’t support big businesses who are out to make money from the LGBTQIA+ community, unless a significant amount of those profits are going toward supportive organizations.
• I won’t go to places of worship who aren’t genuinely inclusive.
• I won’t engage with people who tell me they “love the sinner, not the sin.” Honey, I’m going to shine a light for you, all of us are sinners. That logic doesn’t work.
• I won’t let my voice be quiet when someone attacks the LGBTQIA+ community.

My LGBTQIA+ family and friends simply want to do one thing, live their lives.

They shouldn’t have to worry about someone hurling insults at them when they are holding hands with their partner or sharing a kiss in public. They shouldn’t have to defend their existence. Period.

I’ve given you ways I’m going to do better. What are you going to do?