Hello, Everyone.

Today is the first day of Pride Month here in the US. I've always been supportive of it, but this is the first time in my life it's meant something directly personal to me. The thing is, I don't feel it so much as "this is about me" as that I recognize the significance of what all of YOU bring to this world. In only a few months walking this path and in this community, I have learned so much about how extraordinarily special you all are. While there is definitely a common bond in our choices to deviate from the norm to pursue a life of truth and authenticity, everyone's essence and experience remains unique. I find it all so incredibly moving, truly worthy of celebration every day.

Thank you all for sharing your life stories here. It has a profound effect for many people.

With love,
Pema

Thanks, @Pema!

I was just working on a post with some details, so I will drop them here.

10 U.S. Pride Month celebrations 2025
https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/23468078/

For some history about why we celebrate in June, check out this article in USA Today:

Pride parades 2025: Here's when major cities are celebrating − and why
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/06/01/pride-month-parades-2025/83880446007/
USA Today - Greta Cross
1 June, 2025

This June marks the 55th anniversary of the first LGBTQ+ Pride march held in the United States.

LGBTQ+ Pride Month, also known simply as Pride Month, is held each June, an observation of queer culture through celebration and protest. Countless communities host Pride marches, demonstrations and parties to honor queer joy, but Pride Month's roots are tied to a darker time.

The first LGBTQ+ Pride march was held in June 1970, just one year after New York City Police officers invaded the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, which resulted in a six-day riot in the neighborhood. Though raids and concurring protests and marches had been ongoing for decades before, the Stonewall Riots proved to be a quintessential moment for the LGBTQ+ community in the U.S.

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We are not going away. Be Proud and Loud.

Even in the small, rural town I live, we have a few activities planned for pride month! I'm thankful for my small community of queer folk here!

I was legitimately excited for pride month. My bitmoji had all the pride month bitmojis yesterday. I saved the one of her holding the transgender flag 

Guess I'm not really sure this belongs here, but I'll go ahead an post here as this is about pride activities.
So last night was a LGBTQ+ friendly night at our thrift shop. One of our small group works here and was able to set this up and I had so much fun!
I picked out 4-5 new to me outfits, all for only $5! I got some totally cute tops, which I really needed, some comfortable dresses and even a lovely leather purse!
I had so much fun, and being able to shop without worries of hostile stares was the best!

Yes I decided to volunteer for pride week for our local LGBT organization. They gave me some pocket bras with silicone boobs to try out and see how I like it. After spending last couple of days with it I decide to go get my own pocket bras. For one I want bigger shoulder straps and no wire. I will wear it and present as feminine for pride week.

I just got my ears pierced today. I was told 3 weeks taking care of the holes with a solution and cotton balls. Well there go my plans for earrings during pride week but at least got temporary earrings in my ears.

Quote from: persphone on June 05, 2025, 11:36:11 AMGuess I'm not really sure this belongs here, but I'll go ahead an post here as this is about pride activities.
So last night was a LGBTQ+ friendly night at our thrift shop. One of our small group works here and was able to set this up and I had so much fun!
I picked out 4-5 new to me outfits, all for only $5! I got some totally cute tops, which I really needed, some comfortable dresses and even a lovely leather purse!
I had so much fun, and being able to shop without worries of hostile stares was the best!

Sounds nice!

Chrissy

Continuing with more pride activities in my small alaskan community, yesterday four of us were out doing trash clean-up.
After a long snowy, windy winter the trash reveals as the snow melts and this place def needs a scrub up!!!
End result the four of us collected over a pick up truck worth of stuff. Other locals were out as well, and it is nice to see our improvement.
Happy pride everyone!

Quote from: persphone on June 08, 2025, 12:52:49 PMContinuing with more pride activities in my small alaskan community, yesterday four of us were out doing trash clean-up.
After a long snowy, windy winter the trash reveals as the snow melts and this place def needs a scrub up!!!
End result the four of us collected over a pick up truck worth of stuff. Other locals were out as well, and it is nice to see our improvement.
Happy pride everyone!

It is nice to have a cleaner area.  It is a shame that people do not properly throw trash away.
Sometimes construction materials may show up, blown by the wind.  Or there are overflowing trash bins.

Mostly though it is trash just thrown away by those who did not want to keep it until it could be properly disposed of.  Have you seen the stuff left on store parking lots?  Grosses me out.   Completely uncalled for!

Thanks for your efforts!


Chrissy

Quote from: Pema on June 01, 2025, 02:07:48 PMHello, Everyone.

Today is the first day of Pride Month here in the US. I've always been supportive of it, but this is the first time in my life it's meant something directly personal to me. The thing is, I don't feel it so much as "this is about me" as that I recognize the significance of what all of YOU bring to this world. In only a few months walking this path and in this community, I have learned so much about how extraordinarily special you all are. While there is definitely a common bond in our choices to deviate from the norm to pursue a life of truth and authenticity, everyone's essence and experience remains unique. I find it all so incredibly moving, truly worthy of celebration every day.

Thank you all for sharing your life stories here. It has a profound effect for many people.

With love,
Pema

@Pema it is equally about you, sweetie. You are just as special and you give just as much as anyone else, okay? You are as inspirational as the people you admire for being such. Never forget that. You are a part of this. One of the extended family.

I am proud of everyone. I think you're all exceptional human beings. <3 It only saddens me that this is limited to a month.

Quote from: Sephirah on June 12, 2025, 02:53:53 PM@Pema it is equally about you, sweetie. You are just as special and you give just as much as anyone else, okay? You are as inspirational as the people you admire for being such. Never forget that. You are a part of this. One of the extended family.

I am proud of everyone. I think you're all exceptional human beings. <3 It only saddens me that this is limited to a month.

Oh, I do know that, Lauren. Thank you. I don't say that because I feel like I'm unworthy or unqualified. I know I am. I'm just not a "prideful" sort. I'm pretty ordinary, and I'm happy to be so. But I'm also, as you said, a member of this group of extraordinary people. That gives me feelings of great pride. You all really are exceptional.

And I completely agree that a month isn't enough. It's every day as far as I'm concerned.

Quote from: Pema on June 12, 2025, 03:01:21 PMOh, I do know that, Lauren. Thank you. I don't say that because I feel like I'm unworthy or unqualified. I know I am. I'm just not a "prideful" sort. I'm pretty ordinary, and I'm happy to be so. But I'm also, as you said, a member of this group of extraordinary people. That gives me feelings of great pride. You all really are exceptional.

And I completely agree that a month isn't enough. It's every day as far as I'm concerned.

The most ordinary people are capable of the most extraordinary things, sweetie.

Within every lamb there beats the heart of a lion.