Pride is not a party, it is not a parade. It is a protest, it is an outpouring of rage. It is our statement that we are here, we are visible, we are not going away. We are different, we are not just like you, and we are proud of the fact that we are different. We are not going to hide our differences just to make you more comfortable, or help you avoid having conversations with your family members. We will not be silent, we will not conform. We will be our true, authentic selves.