There actually may be a couple of these flags flying in the neighborhood. Kinda hard to tell because they’re usually hanging limp. I’ll have to take a closer look.

First realizing that I belonged to two of the letters gave me a sense of affirmation and belonging that I never would have imagined.

@KathyLauren - Sometimes, I wish there was a like / love button to just express how much I love what someone has just said. This is a much better thing than I tried to say. 

Being somewhere in the 2SLGBTQIA+ alphabet soup means nothing to me.  It is purely descriptive.  It is like asking what does being 5'8" mean to me.  I yam what I yam.  I am L and T, and that is it.   But identifying and associating with other alphabet soup people and supporting activism do mean something to me.  They represent the struggle we share to push back against those who would lock us up and exterminate us.  I support them because we are not yet free, and in fact are getting less free all the time.  And associating with others who share similar experiences is a good basis for friendships.   It would be lovely if Pride were no longer necessary.  If same-sex couples could show affection in public and if trans people could choose the appropriate washroom.  If non-binary and intersex people were not required to choose sides unless they wanted to.  I am in a place where I can enjoy those freedoms, and I see it as my duty to try to spread that good fortune to others.  

In case you don't know the symbols of latest flag  

Wheel keep turning, round and round.

Seeing Pride being treated like it has this year I can say Silvera Rivera was right. Capitalist Pride destroyed what pride was supposed to be. 

This is such a good question, and I am looking forward to seeing how people feel.    I find it quite tricky.    I have identified as LGBTQ+ for decades. But, really, for me, it just was a useful way of expressing 'this is a linguistic way of describing SOMETHING of the complexity of who I am, and who I might be attracted to'   I struggle with it, because, I feel like, living as if LGBTQ+ is... Hmmmm. I feel like reducing my places to go and things to do to LGBTQ+ would be similar to only doing things for people with green eyes or only socialising with people with dark hair. It's who I AM, but, it's nowhere even CLOSE to ALL of who I am. I feel a bit anxious about corralling LGBTQ+ people for Pride for example. I love the idea that we should be ABLE and FREE to be open, and confident in our LGBTQ+ identity, but, I feel like doing that OUTSIDE of the rest of society, while NECESSARY AT THE MOMENT FOR SAFETY REASONS, should NOT be an end point. Should not be the ultimate goal.   I want to be a WHOLE person. If I ONLY interact based on my gender identity OR who I am attracted to, that feels weird to me. They feel like small, important, yes, but, small parts of my whole being.    I would LOVE to meet someone and have a healthy relationship, but, I want to meet someone who is a person who IS LGBTQ+ and MAY love Pride and show up for people and events in that sphere, but ALSO has other interests and skills and talents and loves and fears and hopes and dreams and losses and damage and joy for ALL KINDS of human reasons.    I think it's sad and something we need to change if people ONLY feel SAFE being and socialising within the protected spaces for LGBTQ+ folks. 

What does it mean to be LGBTQIA2S+ or an Ally mean to you?

Thank you! Also, please do feel completely free to pop me a message any time, if you are having a rough day OR if you have sparkly joy... 

This is always so tough isn't it? But until you're able to give that to yourself, try to just accept it from us. You are allowed to be you!    Hell yeah! I got into it when my daughter was younger. Definitely one of my favorite kids' shows of all time! Who's your favorite pony? And which pony are you most like?  

I'm so happy Toli! It's so exciting to see you continuing to make find sparkly joy! It makes it so much easier to get through the rough days.

I like to assume that it's worse over there, but, tbh, I seen FAR less Pride merchandise over here this time too. It's not a big deal on its own, but it does feed in to the fact that it feels LESS comfortable to just *be* in public.    I also assumed that because I no longer live in the LGBTQ+ capital of the country, I was being more careful about who and how I come out to people (and that I need to more often if I want to be recognised - before, ALL people were valued etc, no need to come uout so much because people didn't assume things about you) because *I* was being careful, but actually, I think it's the whole climate that has shifted. 

I have heard of this program. This could be good for you? I understand any kind of resistance to things like social services / outside agencies / people sticking their nose in and taking away your agency. I honestly get that, on a visceral level. And it probably feels like (might actually be) that you find it hard to engage with a big brother who might have absolutely no understanding of what it is like to be you, and how could such a goody-goody always does the right thing, and doesn't even KNOW what it's like to not even HAVE choices, ( how could you then know how to make good ones?!) BUT, honestly, AS a person who faced a LOT of difficult childhood and particularly adolescent things, I would be ABSOLUTELY no where without external people stepping up and caring. It really might be that this program could be an awesome thing for you?