To my dear LGBTQ+ Community Members who find themselves in the closet,

As we all know, June is considered Pride Month. That one month in which we celebrate who we are, and who we love. Rainbows can be seen everywhere, and so many different pride hashtags show up on every social media. We take over the streets and make ourselves be seen, be respected. It is a month of celebration and – repeating its name – pride. It is all about joy and happiness while trying to ignore as much as possible all the hate we still receive. However, there is part of our community that cannot openly celebrate…and this letter is for you.

It is okay to dread Pride Month. It is okay to be controlled by anxiety during these four weeks. It is okay to be sad or angry those days. While so many of us can celebrate, there is you who cannot. You who has to hide in the closet for many valid reasons. Reasons that make you have to stay hidden and not be able to join the parade and swing your rainbow flag around. Reasons that make you want to see June go by faster than the rest of us. That is okay; please remember this.

While Pride Month can be so happy for many of us, it can be a reminder of how hard life is for you. A long reminder of what it is to live your life hidden. June can be a sad month to you because you are sitting in the closet wishing you could be one of those who runs down the street kissing their partner or posting selfies under certain hashtags. It seems like a movie of what your life would be like if you were able to come out. We have all been there. Trust me, we know how you feel.

Us – out of the closet ones – are celebrating for you too. We parade and scream about our sexuality for all of those who cannot do it. We fight for you to be able to one day join us and celebrate with us. We are so much stronger together and that is why we also show pride for all of our community members who remain closeted. Please remember you are not alone.

Even if this month makes you feel a certain way, you’ve still got us, and we are here waiting for you. Because when you are ready, oh dear, Pride Month will be here for you to celebrate over and over again. But until then, accept all your emotions, your feelings, and remember, we are parading for you too.

Do not feel obligated to come out just because of what this month represents. Take your time to do it when you are comfortable and safe. Hide away during Pride if you need to. Tweet, post, text, and rant about it to all your social media friends; I know you have a big number of gays on that contact list on your phone. Go through Pride Month however you can. Go through it in a way that will not harm you. And, even if it is hard, go through it with so much pride.

We love you. We celebrate you. We are proud of you. Pride Month is as much ours as it is yours no matter when or how you decide to come out. You are part of our community and we will always make sure you are celebrated and respected.

With so much pride,

A fellow LGBTQ+ Community Member.