 I can remember being that kid in class who struggled. It took me a long time to be proud of all that it is that makes me who I am. My culture growing up in the early 80s and 90s wasn't always, especially being an athlete. I wasn't able to celebrate and be proud of being a gay man as well. But as I get older, I don't want children to struggle with their identity as much as I did. As society changes and whatever stereotypes held become humanized, they start discovering that gay people are maybe even members of their own family. They're sons and daughters. That LGBT people are children of straight people. We are part of the family, blood relatives, kindred, and people that they might respect. Bankers, school teachers, now we have professional athletes who are coming out as gay. That changes attitudes. We're here today to send a message. No matter where you are, no matter who you love, we stand with you. And that's what pride means and that's what drives us today. It's okay to live your authentic life. There's support out there for you in the world and you just have to find your people. Live your life and we're out there ready to support you.