June marks the beginning of a month-long celebration—PRIDE. Traditionally, this is a time for extravagant parades, cute rainbow flags, and an overall big celebration of love and self-expression. Pride, which stands for Personal Rights In Defence and Education, emerged as a movement for equality and a need to acknowledge the inalienable birthrights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people.
The Stonewall Uprising, a 5-day riot against police brutality led by Black and Brown trans Women and Queer people, marked the beginning of this movement. This year, PRIDE will be no different—the LGBTQ+ community is coming together in solidarity with BIPOC to demand an end to police brutality and racial injustice against Black communities.
The word PRIDE resonates differently with each of us. For me, Pride is a celebration of inclusivity and self-expression. Pride is a reassurance that I belong in this world, free to live my truth, celebrate my uniqueness, and love myself unconditionally. It is a reminder that it doesn’t matter who you love, what you do, or how much you have. At the end of the day, when we strip away all the labels, we are all ONE species that wants to love and be loved.
What does Pride mean to you? How can you show up in a more loving and accepting way for yourself and for others?
It is my hope that this blog inspires you to show up, live boldly, and be proud of who you are today and every day after. Let’s all continue to be advocates for acceptance, equality, and inclusivity. Let’s rewrite the negative self-talk we’ve allowed ourselves to believe for so long and teach ourselves to embrace our differences and love ourselves unconditionally. Here’s to living life knowing that we are enough! Here’s to living life knowing that we belong! Here’s to paving the path for the next generation to know that they deserve to feel safe, loved, and accepted!
To the Trans and Queer community that stood so boldly during a time of injustice and inequality, we say thank you. To my LGBTQ+ community, it’s our time to stand PROUD with our black brothers and sisters, we need to come together now more than ever!
Sending you all my love,
Gustavo Padron
