After the Parade, you still matter

After the parade, after the rainbow banners disappear from shop windows and after technicolour stops bathing the city streets at night, you are still worthy of love and acceptance.

When the slurs resume, when the cries of “broken” or “fake” continue, and you have to navigate your way through the world once more...

When the government or educational board that’s supposed to represent your best interest dedicates themselves to your complete erasure…

When your employer threatens to fire you for simply being yourself…

When you wonder if you’re allowed to claim your own identity because of your relative privilege and your community is only allowed to define ourselves by our pain and oppression…

When you’re questioned because you came much later than usual because you didn’t feel safe admitting this aspect of your identity to yourself, let alone to others…

When you’re questioned because you came out too young and the adults in your life claim “you don’t know that about yourself yet”…

When you’re deep in the closet because you feel unsafe…

When you’re questioning, scared, and confused but there’s no one for you to talk to…

When your mere existence is considered political…

When you’re accused of owning the media and running the world, despite the reality of social media, news outlets and popular media doing all they can to erase you…

When bad faith actors try to convince the world that you and your community are deviants and child groomers…

When events are threatened or attacked, and you’re left watching the news wondering when you and your loved ones are next…

When you’re stripped of the comradery, the all-nighters and every safe, wholesome memory you cherish because the beauty of queer joy and solidarity must be crushed by those who hate you…

When you’ve lost your job, are scared to leave the house and no longer see can connect with your family…

When you actually have a family that supports you but are separated by a cruel state that would rather see you dead than happy…

When you have tried everything…

When it’s too painful to stay hidden in plain sight, but living genuinely has consequences that no one else has to suffer…

When it seems you will never know happiness, safety, love or joy again…

When taking your own life feels like the only option left…

Step away from that ledge!

Put down that knife, rope or gun and walk away!

Because this is what the hearts filled with only hatred don’t know…

Your light is so bright that it frightens those who refuse to change!

Your love is so genuine and pure that you have to fight an uphill battle everyday, but it’s still worth it.

Your community is a found family that cherishes each member and supports each other through thick and thin.

Because after the parade, after the world forgets the beauty and the pride…

You are still worthy of love and acceptance.