I attended my first ever Pride in our little city and man, what an experience! In this city in the heart of a red state, it can sometimes feel as if I'm surrounded by hate and bigotry and ignorance. But the love at this place, you guys. THE LOVE. C had volunteered to do face painting and was then going to be marching in the parade with her support group so we made a day of it. I dropped C and two friends to do the face painting and then headed to the Equality center for a shift at the Episcopalians for Equality booth (good peeps!). On my way in, I stopped at the little gift shop, overflowing with rainbows. I picked up a few rubber bracelets in the trans flag colors, a trans flag pin for C and one for myself and a big trans flag for C to wear around her neck like a cape, the way I'd seen so many doing. SuperTrans! When we met up again, she was thrilled. To be able to wear her identity right up front like that was such a feeling of relief and pride for her. I do get it now in a way I didn't before -- Pride. Once C and her friends headed off to the start of the parade, I had about an hour and a half of people watching to get done. It was a glorious day, hot and sunny, and the people were out in droves. With nowhere to go and flying solo, I stood in the shade and took it all in (I realize that might sound dodgy - standing in the shadow of a downtown doorway watching people, but hey!). Clean-cut, crisply-pressed gay boys holding hands; big, butch lesbians in leather and chains; "typical" looking couples and families of all kinds; furries; doms; teenagers roving in packs with flags displaying their sexual identities and/or preferences (btw - holy schnikeys! I had no idea there were so many pride flags! Google them - they seem to be infinite.) It was AMAZING. Everyone was just being. Being themselves and allowing everyone else to be themselves without judgement. The parade started and the already electric crowd grew in excitement and energy. There was music and dancing, cheering and celebrating, certainly the best atmosphere I have ever witnessed at a parade. About an hour in, there was a swell in the excitement. A wave of increased energy, like a blast rippling across the crowd for blocks, reached us. I realized it was all due to the incredible support for the youth float coming through. Youth representing GSAs from dozens of local high schools and community support groups strode through the crowd sporting pride flags of every color you can imagine. And there was my C in the middle of it, holding the sign for the high school she'll be attending next year, smiling from ear to ear, wearing her trans flag cape. The support for these kids overwhelmed me and suddenly I was sobbing right there in the middle of Pride. Not quiet, dainty, secretive tears. Big, ugly, can't-miss-them, tears. The adults in the crowds, who have faced these same demons, were telling kids WE SEE YOU. We know the battle you're fighting. We understand your hopes and fears. We're here to tell you, it gets better. WE ARE WITH YOU. Of all of the wonderfully overwhelming moments of support we have experienced, this one just went right to my core. It took me quite awhile to compose myself. Maybe it was because this was support from adults who have lived it. Maybe it was because I realized the extent of the support my child has from total strangers. Maybe it was because it was just so cool! I don't know. But every time I think about it, I tear up. Even as I write this, I'm holding back tears. What I do know is that we are fortunate to be supported by an incredible community within our city and the family and friends who are behind us as C walks this insane road. WE ARE NOT ALONE.