Little Miss hates pride month ..

I've been part of the LGBTQ+ community since elementary school. I remember the exact moment I realized I was into women. If I remember correctly her name was Makayla. Her grandmother taught my class in 2nd grade. Makayla was beautiful, with smooth skin and thin, wavy hair that she always let hang down her shoulders. I liked her sooo much and I couldn't keep it to myself any longer, so I told my parents. Naturally, they laughed it off and didn't take me seriously, saying I was too young to know about these things. But here I am at 28, still loving women.

The title might seem a bit confusing but hear me out. I actually love pride month! Every June, I can't wait to throw on my rainbow gear and hit the parades. I proudly wear pins on my shirt to show support for Trans people, non-binary folks, basically everyone. MY people. I stand with those who the world often labels as outsiders. Yet sometimes I feel like an outsider in the LGBTQ+ community myself. As a bisexual person, I often feel like I'm not "gay enough" to fit in with the gay crowd. And obviously, I'm not straight, so where do I belong?

Making friends has always been a bit tough for me, and trying to connect with the LGBTQ+ community felt even harder. I really wanted to find a place where I felt safe and comfortable with people like me. It was like being back in high school, standing in the cafeteria with my tray and having nowhere to sit. I didn't have any friends and felt like I didn't fit in anywhere. Even with others who were also sitting alone, I still felt out of place. Now, as an adult, I feel the same way. It's like I belong to a community that I don't actually belong to. It's like there's this secret club, and I just don't know the password to get in.

I read an article once that emphasized the importance of going out solo, encouraging you to do the things you love even if you don't have friends to go with you. I promised myself I'd finally check out a lesbian club I've been curious about and just enjoy myself. But, as usual, I let those negative thoughts in my head hold me back.

"What if no-one talks to me? What if they think I don't belong because I don't look gay? What does gay even look like?" I kept going back and forth in my head with reasons to go, and reason not to. In the end I didn't go.

But guess what? It's time for me to really start living my life. BE FEARLESS. Pride Month is all about embracing your true self without fear. It's about remembering all the LGBTQ+ folks who lost their lives for loving who they wanted. We're celebrating those who fought for my right to love openly and proudly. Happy Pride Month to everyone! To the LGBTQ+ community and our supporters! I love you all!