Pride month has always been about resistance. It was born out of the Stonewall Riots of 1969 during a climate marked by civil rights tensions intersecting many marginalized communities.

But there has always been a much more intimate conflict in the lives of LGBTQIA people; the path to becoming brave enough to live and love openly in an environment of misunderstanding and fear.

Many of us can relate to the journey undertaken to find the courage needed to make changes or face important decisions. The consequences may be different, but it is in this journey where we find common ground. This is a shared journey we can all celebrate in Pride month. We should celebrate every step we achieve on these individual journeys. Like finding the courage to raise one symbolic brick; raise one voice loud enough to say, “Enough!”

In this inspirational service, Rev. Ayliah Cannon offers courage to everyone seeking to find authenticity.