June 20, 2026 – Pride Day
Today belongs on the important-event calendar.
I woke up tired and I'm exhausted now, but Pride had a huge effect on me. The atmosphere was incredible. Music was playing, people were dancing, people were hugging, and there was a feeling in the air that is hard to describe. It honestly didn't feel like ultra conservative Redding. Attendance was fantastic—maybe 1,000 people or more. The weather was hot but bearable.
The strongest feeling of the day was simple: I was with my people. There were queer people everywhere!
I represented our local LGBTQ+ nonprofit that hosted Pride and visited every booth. I introduced myself as Krista over and over throughout the day. This was new for me. I've use my femme name in queer spaces for months, but today I was empowered to be authentic.
People were happy to see me because I'm trans and because I'm me. I think a hug record was set today! I saw many people who know me as Krista and only as Krista. I was asked my pronouns twice. None of it felt strange. None of it felt forced. It just felt natural.
My wife worked the booth for our local community college. Between shifts we had lunch together outside and hung out with my queer friends at the Center. She knows I sometimes go by Krista but she heard me called Krista for the first time today, many times. She heard me introduce myself that way. I felt like she saw into the world she sometimes perceives as separate or secret from her.
And she saw me light up.
I wore a blue pleated above the knee skirt, a blue peplum blouse that highlighted my blue eyes, white strappy sandals, full makeup, and jewelry. I felt completely comfortable. More than comfortable—I felt attractive. For one of the first times in a long while, I wasn't thinking about my body. felt good exactly as I was.
The most striking realization came later when I reflected on the day. I was only Krista at Pride.
My male name and self finally slid into the shadows at a public event. He still shows up in family situations, at work sometimes, and in old roles I've carried for decades. But he wasn't there today. Pride belonged entirely to Krista.
Yesterday I felt invisible. Today I felt seen.
Yesterday I felt unheard. Today i shared my story.
Yesterday I was wrestling with feelings of abandonment and not being good enough. Today I felt welcomed, accepted, and connected.
This wasn't just a fun event. It felt like a glimpse of what life looks like when I stop worrying about who I am and simply live as myself.
