To every soul who has ever been made to feel ashamed of their truth—this is for you.
Pride Month is not just a celebration. It is a rebellion against silence, a memorial for those who could not live freely, and a prayer for those still hiding in the shadows, simply for existing as they are.
I write this from the heart of survival. From knowing what it feels like to be othered, to be exiled, to have your identity questioned, rejected, bruised. While my story may not mirror every queer journey, the thread of exclusion, fear, and reclamation runs through us all. And this month, we say enough.
To the survivor who was shamed for loving who they love — you are not alone.
To the child who heard slurs before they heard words of affirmation.
To the adult who left a home that refused to see them.
To the teen who walks the hallways praying not to be noticed.
To the elder who never had the chance to say, “This is who I am.”
You are sacred. You are seen. You are not broken.
A Prayer for the LGBTQIA+ Soul
May your truth rise louder than the whispers of shame.
May your heart be wrapped in safety, not survival.
May you love and be loved — without explanation or exception.
May you find community that affirms you, holds you, honours you.
May your past be healed, your present embraced, and your future radically free.
This Pride, We Mourn and We Rise
We mourn for those taken too soon.
We rise for those still here.
We rise for the trans woman walking home alone.
For the gay teen praying to wake up “different.”
For the non-binary child erased by systems that demand definition.
We rise because love is love. And love is never wrong.
From Pain to Power
There are too many who have been abused—physically, emotionally, spiritually—for being who they are. This month is for you. For the healing you're doing quietly. For the boundaries you’re learning to build. For the day you said, “I am worthy,” and meant it.
You are not here to shrink.
You are not here to apologize for your truth.
You are here to shine, speak, and stand tall in the light of your own becoming.
To Allies: Show Up, Speak Up, Stay Accountable
It is not enough to wave a rainbow once a year.
Be the friend who defends when no one is watching.
Be the parent who listens with love, not conditions.
Be the workplace that doesn’t just tolerate — but celebrates.
Be the church that opens doors and arms in equal measure.
Closing Benediction
This Pride Month, may we be bold.
May we be fierce in our empathy, loud in our love, and unshakable in our truth.
For every survivor of homophobia, transphobia, or silence:
Your healing matters.
Your story matters.
You matter.
And may the world rise to meet you — just as you are.
With strength, with love, with fire,
Samantha
