A Love Letter to the LGTBQ+ Community

To the LGBTQ+ Community,

Three years ago, I came across a picture on the internet of an LGBTQ+ group at a protest for women’s reproductive rights. At a time when I was processing my feelings about the Supreme Court’s decision, I saw these individuals stand up for me. In this powerful image, they were standing on top of a rainbow-painted car bearing their colorful flags and signs, with one reading “Gays 4 Reproductive Rights.”

These beautiful humans showed up to uplift us, and I will never forget how that made me feel. Thank you for your solidarity. 

I see your human rights being debated and politicized. I see the challenges you face. I know that for all the perceived progress in recent history, we are unequivocally moving in the wrong direction. Whatever you are feeling at this moment, know you are not alone, not in these feelings and not in this fight.

As you’ve shown me before, we are not free until we are all free.

Thank you for your courage and visibility, especially when it’s hard.

Thank you for every time I have been touched by James Baldwin’s words, every drag show I’ve enjoyed, every time I find healing and joy in singing along to Frank Ocean or Janelle Monàe. You fill the world with color and music and stories, and we need you.

Most of all, thank you for showing me how to live and love authentically and without apology. You have influenced how I aspire to live my life. Every time you show up as completely yourself, you are giving someone else space to do the same, and that is so powerful. 

Thank you for being you.

In solidarity, gratitude, and love,