To all my LGBTQA members, I know you're super proud to be a part of the community, but I'm even more proud of you. In the past year, a few people close to me came out and were comfortable enough to express themselves for who they really were. This Pride month, and article, is for them.

When you first came out, I was worried. I was nervous about what everyone else was going to think and how they would react to the news. I was concerned about the hateful comments and the ignorant questions you might get from strangers.

But you were the complete opposite to the general public. You were prepared for rude comments and awkward questions. You were so brave to the struggles ahead of you. It was admirable.

You confessed that you were only concerned about how our relationship would last after words. You were proud of yourself, and you were happy. To be honest, that's all that ever mattered to me. And all of that courage, bliss, and pride makes you a better person than anyone I have ever met before.

In that moment, you taught me to express myself no matter what judgements I might receive. Your confidence boosted mine. Your ability to love yourself over everyone and share that with the world fills my heart with smiles. Your openness and expression of gender and sexuality is amazing and commendable. It always will be.

You taught me that regardless of negative characters, to stay true to what I knew was right. You said that education was key to stray from the ignorance of other's personalities. Since that, my mind has grown with knowledge and empathy about the LGBTQA community.

Not only that, but you suggested I only judge the world with open ears, mind, and heart in all situations to try to understand before responding. You brought me to Pride parades, to practice the skill of being observant before opinionated, and show me what it's like to meet new people that just want to love and be loved.

I watched people dance with rainbow flags, shirts, pants, hats, socks, shoes, bags, sunglasses, umbrellas... anything. The streets were painted bright and no store was bland. Everything was rainbow. Seriously, it looked like a unicorn threw up. It was awesome.

But the best thing was, everyone's heads were held higher than the sun. Everyone crushed their fears with their own euphoria.

And then there was you. Smiling so wide, even your back teeth were showing and your eyes crinkled up when you laughed. I finally got a glimpse of your completely happy self. I was, and am, so proud.

For the rest of your life, continue to be your superior self in any and all situations. Never let anyone tear down the bravery from the day you came out. Keep on loving those around you with all that you have. Lead on in your life with the inner glee you found at the parade.

This pride month, I'm proud of you.