Stand Tall, Stay Safe, and Keep Shining
As we step into June and continue celebrating Pride across the country, I want to offer a heartfelt message to our LGBTQIA+ community and allies: You are seen. You are loved. You are powerful.
Pride has always been more than parades, more than flags, more than slogans. It is a defiant, joyful, radically hopeful declaration of identity in a world that still tries to suppress, police, and erase queerness – especially now, as political attacks on LGBTQIA+ rights have intensified.
But this movement was born in resistance. And in that spirit, we continue to rise.
Celebrate with Joy – and Awareness
Pride is a celebration. Let it be one! Dance. Laugh. Wear your brightest colors. Share your love out loud. We need joy now more than ever.
But this year, let’s also move with awareness. Stay connected. Travel in groups when possible. Know your local rights, especially in areas where anti-LGBTQ+ legislation has passed. Have emergency contacts written down, and be sure your loved ones know where you are if attending large events.
We shouldn’t have to say these things. But we live in a moment where both visibility and vigilance are necessary. As Pride events unfold across the nation – from the vibrant celebrations in LA, Philly, Seattle, and D.C. to the historic turnout in Bucharest – let’s hold these moments of joy and resistance close, knowing that every step forward is a step toward greater freedom.
You Deserve to Be Here
For every young person feeling uncertain, every trans person navigating public spaces, every queer couple afraid to hold hands – this message is for you: You belong. You are not alone. Your existence is not up for debate.
Pride is not just about being loud. It’s also about honoring the quiet courage it takes to live truthfully in an often hostile world. Whether you’re marching in a parade, attending a Pride festival, or celebrating from your living room, your truth is powerful. And it is enough.
The Humane Future We Fight For
At The Humane Herald and the Humane Party, we believe liberation must be universal. That includes queer liberation. Our vision of a just and ethical world is one where every person – regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ability, or background – can live without fear, without shame, and without systemic oppression.
This vision is becoming more tangible each year as Pride events grow in size and visibility, drawing tens of thousands of participants from around the globe. Whether it’s the WorldPride festivities in Washington, D.C., the ongoing Seattle Pride month-long celebration, or the recent Philly Pride March with its theme of unity, every event is a reminder that our fight for dignity and equality is far from over.
That world is possible. But it will take all of us, standing together, to build it.
So this Pride season, let’s remember where we’ve been, hold tight to where we’re going, and never lose sight of who we are: resilient, radiant, and worthy of love.
Happy Pride. Keep shining.
Brandy W. Walt-Rose
Editing Coordinator, The Humane Herald
The Humane Herald 