We hit July and I usually am busy with kids and end of school year. There are birthdays and summer camps to plan. There are vacation times to coordinate and swimming to be had. There is hiking and hanging out with friends. There is learning what is important to my kids, but more importantly, there is learning who my kids are becoming.

And there it is. That’s what Pride means to me. I’ve never had to worry that who I love would cause any issues. I’ve had plenty of friends who have, and I have always stood by them, but it was always a silent kind of stand. I don’t want that to be the case any more.

As my kids grow up into who they are, I want them to know that I’m not silent. That the gender of who they love doesn’t matter so much as they are loved well and openly.

And I need my friends, my coworkers, and my colleagues to know that I will be there for them.

It matters who I work with. I want kind, funny, intelligent people around me. What I don’t want is people afraid to be themselves.

What does Pride month mean to me? That I get to show love to those who matter in my life. Let’s work to make that happen every month.