As our nation celebrates its 250th birthday, we come together as one country and one people.
Despite our differences, there is still much that unites us, including our enduring belief in democracy and the promise that everyone deserves liberty and equality.
Yet there are those who seek to divide us. Their strategy is simple: divide and conquer.
Too often, it works.
A recent Gallup poll found support for same-sex marriage has fallen six points nationwide. But the more revealing number is among Republicans, where support has dropped by 18 points.
That isn't happening by accident.
We've watched this playbook unfold in Florida. From attempts to ban drag performances to attacks on pronouns and classroom discussions, the goal has been to pit people against one another and turn neighbors into political targets.
We cannot allow that strategy to succeed.
They have worked hard to drive wedges within our own community, particularly when it comes to transgender rights.
We cannot fall for it.
In Florida, they first came for transgender student-athletes, but it didn't stop there. It quickly expanded into the "Don't Say Gay" law and a broader effort to erase LGBTQ people from public life, even targeting public symbols like rainbow crosswalks.
These efforts are not noble or high-minded. They are rooted in fear and fueled by prejudice.
So, as we celebrate our nation's founding, remember this: our strength has always been our unity. We will need that unity for the fights ahead.
But do not despair.
Each time we are knocked down, we rise again — stronger than before.
Keep hope alive. Keep joy alive.
I attended many Pride events this June. It's easy to watch the headlines and feel discouraged, but here's what I saw: our community is not disappearing. We have not been erased, and we have not been silenced.
Our community is alive. It is thriving. It is vibrant.
The state can take away our crosswalks. It can ban our books. It can push drag shows into hiding. It can cut funding and make life harder for LGBTQ organizations and the people they serve.
But they cannot legislate us out of existence.
They cannot silence our voices, dim our joy, or stop us from finding one another, as long as we stand up and stand together.
And that, perhaps, is the most American thing of all.
✍️ story by Jason Parsley
