As I was getting ready for work this morning, I was picking out my earrings to wear for the day. Silly choices that I am blessed to have. Gold or silver? Turquoise or plain? I glanced over at my rainbow hoops. My heart skips a beat with excitement. I love these hoops and am so excited that June is here so I can wear them proudly the entire month. Why would I wear these proudly? Because I am an essential part of the LGBTQIA+ community… I am an ally!
Being an ally is essential to my mission of making this world a better place. I am a person who is a safe space at all times for any member of the LGBTQIA+ community. I have been so since many of the letters were added. Why? Because I was raised by some of the most compassionate people out there. I was raised to understand that being gay is normal. I believe being gay is no one’s choice, it is simply the way they are deep in their soul. I am the niece of two generations of lesbians that I know of. Who knows about the 1800’s? I grew up thinking everyone had Aunts who had permanent life partners. I am the friend that happily attends your gay wedding. I am the boss that doesn’t question that their employees are trans. Instead, I go and remove the gender signs from the bathrooms. I am the friend who accepts you wholeheartedly for your decisions. I am the mom that will unconditionally love my children no matter what their orientation might be. I am a volunteer at sports who accepts you for whatever your family may look like. I am the person who makes every corporation I work for participate in Gay Pride Parades across our country. I am the Karen who will complain if you try to persecute gay people. I am the person who makes it a point to support LGBTQIA+ businesses. I am your safe place whether you are gay or straight.
I take being an ally as being a crucial role in the LGBTQIA+ community! It is my job to support, accept and love people no matter what gender they choose to be, love or identify with! So, as I prepare to wear my rainbow hoops for the month of June, I do it with excitement. I do it with joy. I do it because I believe in Love and hope that someday the entire world will as well. I am the child of hippies, and I do hope that the world can learn to Love rather than hate. During Pride month this June I wear my hoops for you all. Gay or straight, Christian or atheist, Left or Right, because I love you all and strive to be an ally for all!
