It's summer time. Which also means it's Pride season. Pride parades and festivals are popping up and celebrating love all over the country. Which means that it's very likely one near you will be happening soon. Why should you go to pride? Here are ___ reasons you should go to your community's pride celebrations.

Supporting each other in these dark times is essential.

After the recent events in Orlando, the LGBTQ community needs all the love it can get. Even if you are just an ally, it can help ease the minds of members of the community that they are still supported and loved for who they are. Pride is a safe place for all-and we should strive to create more safe places for all.

People are not judged for their relationship choices.

Same-sex couples can openly be with each other without fear of being mocked or attacked. A seemingly heterosexual couple can attend Pride and not be judged. They could be allies, they could be bisexual or pansexual. No one will judge, they are just happy that people are celebrating love!

You get to meet tons of wonderful people.

A Pride festival is the place to celebrate love-so why not celebrate it with new friends? Since it is such an accepting place, you get to meet so many people who are like-minded with yourself, spreading love. Some may become close friends- or even more!

It gives you a chance to express yourself.

Where else can you wear a tutu, suspenders, crazy hats and more without being judged? Attending Pride gives you a chance to deck yourself out in whatever you want to celebrate what you are. Have a really cool rainbow themed go-go dancer costume? Wear it. Have a really funny t-shirt with a pun about your sexuality on it? Wear it. Anything you wear will be appreciated!

There will be tons of awesome performances!

You could discover new artists or even drag queens (let's be real, it's probably going to be drag queens) to follow and listen to! A Pride festival usually has a stage where performances will be going on-so you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy some entertainment!

Festival booths.

Great food, awesome souvenirs. Enough said. Just be sure to bring some extra cash!

No matter where you live, odds are there is going to be a celebration of Pride near you. Celebrating love for what it is, regardless of whether it's man/man, woman/woman, or man/woman shows that we are one step closer to accepting each other everywhere as a nation. Going to Pride is important, regardless of sexual orientation. We all get to celebrate love for what it is!