Pride Month In Toronto
On June 12th, 2016 I woke up and busily started about my day. I had planned to finally launch my blog that evening and I was in a hurry to get to my favourite coffee shop to put the finishing touches on my website and announce to my family and friends what I had been working on for the past few months. It was a big day in my little bubble but a much more important event quickly took over my afternoon as the news of the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando came pouring in.
It’s difficult to find the words to describe the impact that this has had on the members of the LGBT community I know and love. I sat in front of my laptop reading the news and I reevaluated sharing my blog with my friends and family that night. How trivial it suddenly felt that I had taken some pictures and written some pieces about fashion. How petty and inconsequential in the face of the lives lost to such a horrendous and hateful act of terror against a community who has already had to fight so hard to merely be granted their basic rights and freedoms.
Then I thought again about the people in that club that night. The people who were tragically in the wrong place at the wrong time. There was something truly remarkable about these people.... They were individuals who were unapologetically and bravely owning their identity in the face of judgment and hatred.
Make no mistake … this is no small feat.
To the LGBT community, I want you to know something; it is not just ‘ok’ for you to be who you are. It is not just something that people should have to 'tolerate' and 'accept'. It is so much more than that.
It is inspiring as hell.
Know that your fearlessness is contagious, your courage is uplifting and your spirit is uncontainable.
It was, in large part, your bravery as a community that helped give me the courage that day to share my thoughts, my work, my passions and myself. There’s a reason why the rainbow is the perfect symbol for your community – you helped me follow my dreams. In return, I want you to know that I, and so many others, stand with you as you work to overcome the hatred and prejudice you have had to face.
I will be participating in Pride Run with my family this year – a tradition we have upheld for almost a decade. I will be wearing my love and support for you all, quite literally, on my sleeve :)
I hope that those allies out there reading this will join me – now, more than ever, it’s so crucial that we not allow the LGBT community to fight this battle alone.
I am so excited to see that so many brands are doing amazing things to show their support for Pride this year. Check out the links below for some great options.
My #BeTrue Pride Tank is by Nike
Only Love.