Pride all year

This is Pride Month, and it's good, because the LGBTQ+ community is marginalized.  Like all marginalized people everywhere, they face daily prejudices and micro-agreessions. Sometimes the aggression is blatant and violent.  They want and need to be a regular part of society, and want and need to be regular enough that a 'Month' becomes more of an honor than a necessity.

They need allies and they need allies all year long, not just in June.

When your child or friend or family member comes out to you, be an ally.  Prepare to be an ally, and try to be better than I was.  Recognize the difficulty they experienced in talking to you and honor that by being serious and welcoming.  Listen instead of talking.
Twelve years ago:
My child:  Mom, I'm gay.
Me:  Oh thank  goodness <smiling and mildly laughing>.
My child:  Okay, I am confused.
Me:  Honey, I have known for years - the whole family has.  We just kept waiting for you to know.
My child and me:  Lots of hugging and kissing and talking.

In the end, it turned out well, but my flippant attitude could have easily sunk the conversation.  I could have been more sensitive and more in-tune to the difficulty and courage she was experiencing.  Be an ally this month.

And the next one and every one after that.