This is a time to celebrate our diverse identities and expressions, to honor the pioneers who fought for our rights and dignity, and to reaffirm our commitment to equality and justice for all.
The history of the LGBTQ+ movement is rich and inspiring, full of courage and resilience. From the Stonewall riots in 1969, to the first Pride marches in 1970 and the Upstairs Lounge Fire of 1973, to the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015, we have witnessed remarkable progress and change in our society.
But we also know that the struggle is not over. We still face discrimination, violence, and stigma in many parts of the world. We still have to defend our rights and freedoms against those who seek to erase or silence us. We still have to educate and empower ourselves and others about the diversity and beauty of our community.
That's why we need to keep raising our voices and sharing our stories. That's why we need to support each other and stand in solidarity with other marginalized groups. That's why we need to resist the attempts to ban books that feature LGBTQ+ characters or themes or to prohibit teachers from discussing LGBTQ+ issues in schools. These are forms of censorship and oppression that aim to deny our existence and dignity.
We will not let them succeed. We will not let them erase us. We will not let them silence us.
We are here. We are proud. We are powerful.
We will prevail!