I know I’m a little late to the party, but Happy Pride Month.

If you’re LGBTIQ+, be proud of the skin you’re in and remember all the people who made any advancement possible. It’s an ongoing process, and hopefully one day, people will all be treated equally.

If you’re straight and you don’t understand why this is even necessary, I suggest you take the time to ask one of your LGBTIQ+ friends what they’ve encountered in their lives. Likely, there is going to some story they can tell you regarding the injustice, bullying, or something like that. It happens today. This is why we still have pride month.

I grew up in a small town in Texas where people didn’t really accept anything that was outside that 1950’s sort of life. You had to have a partner of the opposite sex, be religious, and be terrible towards anybody who is different. Luckily, I moved out shortly after I graduated high school and experienced the world. I didn’t fully accept who I was until a decade passed that. I’m okay and though I tell people that I’m gay, I’m more bisexual than anything. Probably, pansexual would be a better way to put it. Gay, to me, is just easier and I don’t really care if people think I’m gay. No big deal (again, for me).

I’m not especially great with words, but I really hope that you just be kind to everyone, but realise, too, that LGBTIQ+ people have unique struggles and I think a lot of them/us just want you to understand that. It’s not about changing the way YOU are and the people you’re attracted to, but to focus on acceptance.

That’s all from me! Please take care of yourselves and the people you care about.