#Lovetoall: What Does Pride Month Mean To You

June is a very special time for the LGBTQ community: What started as a day to commemorate a major catalyst for the gay rights movement—the 1969 Stonewall Riots—has expanded to encompass an entire month of reflection, education and celebration. This year we teamed up with the Human Rights Campaign on a #LoveToAll tee and tote. 50 percent of the purchase price of each one will go toward its mission of ensuring LGBTQ people are safe, equal and free in every community. We asked you and our own team to share stories by responding to the following question: “What does Pride Month mean to you?”

“My wife and I fought the war of our lives for our love. Pride is everything to us, and every single day we try to show the world that LOVE WINS, and for those who can’t seem to understand…well, we love them harder. ” — @emmybelding

“Pride is visibility. Because of those who have fought and rallied before me, I and people like me are now able to see themselves in spaces they couldn’t before. More importantly, my existence in this moment right now, me living my truth, is just as impactful to those ahead of me. It’s a beautiful cycle.” —Michael, Team Madewell

“Pride means to me…being unapologetically yourself ” — @beachbumbritttt

“As an ally with a gay younger brother, Pride Month means a lot to me. We’ve both lived in New York for over 15 years, and every year I’ve seen firsthand the joy, freedom and openness that the month provides. I find it reminiscent of the holiday season, there’s a palpable feeling of warmth and brotherhood. (Of course, that could be all the brunch mimosas talking.) Pride Month is quite important to my family, and I’m proud to take part in it.” —Nick, Team Madewell

“As a bisexual woman, pride means validating myself every day even when others don’t give me this validation. I’m proud of myself for living authentically and proud of all my feelings because they represent unique facets of me. I love who I love and I am who I am. I take pride in individuality, love and truth!” — @godsfavoritelibra

“Pride month means a time for celebrating many things and being thankful for the people who sacrificed so much to make our community what it is today. It’s about celebrating the family that LGBTQ members choose among ourselves and celebrating with the people who love and support us. It’s about having FUN but looking forward to the next steps we need to make as a society to increase inclusion for all people.” —Beth, Team Madewell

“#pridemonth means accepting and loving, not just tolerating ” — @hey_lottie_

“Pride is a time to be thankful. Thankful that I can kiss my boyfriend and hold his hand in public. Thankful that we as gay people no longer have to wear a mask in everyday life. Thankful for all the men and women who fought tooth and nail for our rights, not as gay people, but as human beings. Pride makes me so thankful that I am gay and that I get to be a part of this community. In my mind, pride absolutely is LOVE FOR ALL!” —Seth, Team Madewell

“Pride month means the month my two moms got married ” — @sophiem.pl

“Pride month is about love and acceptance. Every year at the Pride Parade in Manhattan, there are so many examples of people loving and accepting absolute strangers and I always get overwhelmed and emotional at the beauty of it all. It seems the whole city is there to show their support.” —Molly, Team Madewell

“Pride to me is the celebration of authenticity and the freedom to be my true self without any discrimination. We recognize and honor all the brave pioneers who have fought for this freedom and we stand together as a community to continue the fight for equality. Over the past few years of discovering my own identity, this community has become my family and my foundation. Judgment is nonexistent, and love conquers all. ” — @ivanka.dekoning

Thanks for helping us show #LoveToAll , friends. Make sure to check out our Madewell x HRC tee and tote, plus learn more about the HRC’s important work here .

Top image by Kate LeSueur.