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It’s June and summer is upon us. So is PRIDE Month and all that comes with it. Pride Month is a time for the LGBTQIA community to celebrate themselves and all they have to offer the world. It is a time for friends, families, and allies to celebrate them as well. But, along with the celebrations there also comes hate .

There are many people who fear what they don’t understand , and from that, hate is born. Hate for people whose skin is a different color, or for people of different religion. Hate for the LGBTQIA community is no different . The thing is, PRIDE is all about love. It’s about loving yourself for who you are, loving yourself as you are, and loving others no matter who they are .I don’t understand how anyone can be against love, but unfortunately it happens , and all too often.

I have friends and coworkers who belong to the LGBTQIA community and they are all wonderful people. It boggles my mind that anyone could hate them for any reason whatsoever. I hope they know that I will always stand up for them, and beside them .

Whatever happened to ” Live and let live ” ? Hate for PRIDE hurts everybody, not just members of the LGBQTIA community. It hurts the friends and families who have to deal with the injury and loss of those they love .

Hate is powerful , but so is love . Hate destroys, love builds . Hate hurts, love heals. Hate is hate, love is love. Let’s stop hating and take PRIDE in each other .