Pride month is coming to an end, but for myself and millions of LGBTQ+ people and their allies, pride is an everyday struggle for acceptance, equal treatment, and basic civil rights. I am so proud of our GRP chapters for stepping up this year for their commitment to supporting Pride events across the State of Massachusetts in Boston, Fall River, and Berkshire to name a few.

I was very proud to help organize and represent the GRP in my hometown of Holbrook for our local pride event. It encourages me as a gay man that so many in my local community care enough to dedicate their time and money to an event to show their love and support for the LGBTQ+ community and their families, especially our youth who are growing up in a difficult time where their right to be open about who they are is being challenged by homo/transphobic right-wing ideology being pushed into our schools and laws by right-wing state lawmakers.

Though there is still a long fight ahead let this month be a reminder that love is more powerful than hate and our commitment to a better and more inclusive society is always worth fighting for.