By Marquise Williams
When I was making this Pride In Me Photo Mood Board, I thought about what Pride means to me and how I feel when asked to explain who I am.
I thought about all the layers of my identity and the ways in which I have both hide and pealed them back.
I thought about all ways I have used voice and all the ways I have not used my voice.
I thought about sense of community: how grateful I am for it, and how I continue to seek and build it.
With so many thoughts swirling in my mind, I started to create: from what I have experienced and what I want.
In the end, I came away from three important things that Pride means to me:
1. Pride In Who I Have Become: The joy in discovering that every layer of who I am belongs, and choosing courage in the face of hate.
2. Embracing The Voice I Have: Loving every aspect of my identity; standing up for our right to love who we want; and building space to be every part of yourself, no matter the background.
3. Confidence In Community & Fellowship: Celebrating others like me who create villages that are diverse and beautiful, showing the world we will not be silenced.
This year, I am prideful in having discovered who I am, what I stand for, and the communities I am a part of.
Marquise Williams is a current member of Public Allies Washington, D.C.
This piece is part of Public Allies’ campaign to highlight voices of LGBTQ+ members, alumni, staff, and partners throughout Pride Month.