Talking to a colleague at work & she says “Why does LGBTQ have a Pride parade? Shouldn’t there be straight parade for the rest of us?” I felt like someone punched me in the throat. I couldn’t speak. How do I even respond to this? Where do I even start? How do I even begin to express the envy I feel whenever I see couple photos of my cisgender friends & their partners being liked by their family members? How I’m constantly thinking “I have that too.” knowing well that my relationship wouldn’t be celebrated regardless of how happy I am or how much it has changed me for the better. How being proud of my relationship is limited to close friends who will understand because no matter how happy I am, I’m scared shitless thinking of what people might say when they find out. Just give me the 1 day. It’s not a big ask.