the media focuses on the party aspect of pride, so that's what a lot of people think it's all about. a parade, parties. wild sex, all that stuff. it's a bit of a shame, really, cause while all that stuff is great - not going to pretend like I'm not going to have a blast at the parade, what gets lost in the mix is the amount of workshops, the campaign work on social and political issues and initiatives, the fund raising for lgbtq+ causes... a lot of work goes into protecting our hard-earned rights for equality, much of which goes unnoticed by most. i get funny looks when I say we are at war, but the truth is, we are. a lot of people want to see lgbtq people eradicated. recent victories include the defeat of Initiatives 1515 & 1552 in Washington state, the Montana Locker Room Privacy Act, and the Anchorage Proposition 1 all of which would have repealed anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people. it really is a war. so let us have our month in peace and stop complaining about not having a straight pride month. did you know that in states like like Alaska, Idaho, and Montana, people can still be legally fired for being LGBTQ+?