June is Pride month for LGBTQ+ identifying people. I am proud to say that in our house we are allies and we are raising our children with that perspective. From day one, we have made it an important part of the household conversation. Because our daughters may not be straight. One or both of them. Or their friends, people in their classes. And I have always felt that if they know in their hearts without a doubt that they are accepted for exactly who they are, then I have done my job as a mom. I shouldn't say accepted. Supported, celebrated, loved unconditionally are better verbs. Because gay, straight, bi, trans, our kids are perfect exactly as they are, and it is important that they know that. Every child should know that. Every human should know that.
Sadly this is not the reality for many people in the LGBTQ+ community. I have had people close to me tell me that it can be dangerous to outwardly display their love. That there are "only pockets" where they feel safe to be openly themselves out in the world with their love. I didn't know that. Because I exist in this world in a heterosexual marriage. This is why my education must be a lifelong commitment. I owe it to my daughters, myself, and people who identify with as LGBTQ+. Because just as there is not one uniform Black or Indigenous experience, there is no one gay, lesbian, bi, trans, or queer experience. There is no one human experience. It is my hope that the other parents of my generation are doing this work so that our children and grandchildren can live authentically in a world that celebrates their love. Their expression of their love. Their expression of themselves.
I'll leave you with a story. Two years ago I was in Edmonton for a comedy show - the brilliant and beautiful Trevor Noah. I was there with two of my closest girlfriends and it happened to be Pride weekend. I was feeling particularly bad about myself in contrast to my petite, model beautiful friends, and I didn't want them to know. So I asked to stay back and nap at the hotel while they went for dinner. The last thing I wanted was for their night to be ruined by my insecurity. When the time came to pick up my friend for the show, I put on some makeup and my favorite dress but was still feeling dumpy. I headed to the elevator when I saw a group of young people, maybe early twenties, three of them were men in the shortest crop tops I have ever seen. They turned and looked at me and said "WE are having a gay pride moment! Are you in??" And I nodded and ran to them and we all chanted GAY PRIDE all the way down the elevator:) They gave me a group hug outside and I had a bounce in my step for the rest of the night.
If your heart is open, good people will always find a way into it.
-Amanda
