This year I became open about being queer. It’s my first Pride Year being open about who I am.

To all my friends and family: Yes, I am queer. And you may not know what being queer means, but I’m about to tell you.

Being queer means that I’m still the same person I was before you found out. It means I still want to graduate college and go to law school. It means I still have to drink coffee every morning, and preferably, cafe con canela. It means I still love my dog, and my family, and everyone else who has been a part of my life. It just means now I’m open about being queer. This umbrella term purely means to me that I am all against the rigid structures presented in our society, specifically towards sexual orientation. So yeah, I like boys (clearly, I currently have a boyfriend), and girls, and genderqueers, and everyone in between and not in between. I like people for who they are. And how they treat my dog, of course. That’s me. I like who I like. I’m into who I’m into.

Being open about being queer has made this year the first time that I feel closer to the LGBTQ+ community. It’s nice to feel completely and totally accepted despite barely coming out with who I am. This June, I’ve never felt happier about who I am. I am so happy I have friends and family who support me. Although I was terrified before writing this article, I knew it was the right decision to do.

This world, even today, does not always accept queerness. Sometimes you’re looked down upon, and you’re made to feel bad. Even within the LGBTQ+ community, I’ve discovered that there are some problems, too. Racism is just one of them since queer-trans POC are often excluded and erased from the community. Being an open queer, Mexican woman, I have to keep fighting to live even harder now since society today doesn’t always like people like me. But fighting is what I do.

I’ll give a voice to the people who can’t, to the people who are scared, and to all the people who are deserving of love. This pride has taught me that I can’t give up, and I have to keep moving forward no matter what. So not everyone will be happy about my coming out, but I’m happier than ever before. And that’s what pride is for me.