Every Queer Person Belongs At Pride, and Its Okay if You Can't Attend

Good day, my dears. 

June is Pride Month and I wanted to say a few things about about Pride Events:

A loving reminder to anyone in the LGBTQIA+ community who feels ashamed they can't make it to Pride Parades/Marches/Events in person - your reasons are valid, as are your feelings.

Talking about Pride and the LGBTQIA+ community online matters. This includes how many events are not accessible for everyone. How not everyone in the Queer community feels included. I've heard Ace friends, people with disabilities, and Neurodivergent people (myself included), express how they don't feel like they can attend Pride events, and that they don't belong there. 

Many events are not created with the awareness and inclusion of people with a variety of disabilities and Neurodivergent people, who may require more than the standard accessibility offered at events.

There is a lot of overlap between Queer people and Neurodivergent people - a correlation, not a causation. Events should be provided that take this into consideration. The same for providing events that show Ace people are welcome and deserve to feel included. Yes we should feel proud to be out and Queer. Alongside that though, there is always a place for relationships that are not centered on being sexually active or the sexual aspects of Queer life. Pride is about making connections, be it romantic, platonic, or building upon already existing relationships with loved ones. 

Being Neurodivergent, having a disability, or being Ace, doesn't make you less Queer, less valid, or less belonging at Pride. It means we have a lot more to do to make everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community feel they belong. Talking about this matters as much as being at Pride. 

You matter.

You belong.

You are Loved.

Happy Pride Month, my dears. Know that no matter what, no matter what your emotions try to tell you, no matter what anyone tries to say, no matter the kinds of events present: You deserve to know and feel that you belong in the LGBTQIA+ community. Always.

Much love,

Katherine

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