My story regarding the community...

Being born in an Eastern Europe country and having been raised in the adequate mentality, coming from a conventional family, in a way I can confirm that I am biased on this topic. Not because I am willingly wanting to, but because that's the environment I grew up in, and it marked its spot as a completely negligible, but still present cognitive bias. (You can check out this phenomenon here)

With the time I spent on the internet, I learnt about the LGBTQ+ community, the value it took, I got an overall view on it. Yet it felt like a distant topic: I was told it was taboo to ask too much, I didn't know how to approach the subject, and despite my increasing curiosity it felt like something I'd never properly understand on my end, and felt shut out. Clashing mindsets from all the directions where someone taking tons of distance and saying "ugh, not normal", "yeah it is what it is, I'm not interested", a "oh that's cool" to finally a person fiercely taking the role of an activist when it came to this topic, you can't help but feel completely lost.

A couple of days ago I had a lengthy conversation with a friend: prior to that, no one had ever extended their time to me, no one I could really talk to about the subject. We talked, they shared their story, I asked about other stuff, and I ended up sharing my personal story as well, how actually old school conventions built what am I today: I am happy with who I am and genuinely love who I love, but I can't help but notice, what if social norms didn't "put me" inside this box? Would I be different than what I am today? Was I happy about it?

Coming to the end of the convo, what I've learnt from that heartwarming moment (if you're reading this, again, thank you a million times), is just how much power, willingness, dedication there is from some people in the community. What lengths, specifically those coming from a biased environment, are willing to go to reach their goal. Which btw I myself would never have the strength to ever do. THAT is what I find truly beautiful. That further fueled the admiration of this community. It's really insane. If anything, now I have a better understanding of truly what it is.

It's like an amazing self-discovery journey, and how much dedication one takes to go through it and commit themselves to it. Meaning so much to me that it motivated me to make this small artwork specifically for this occasion! Since I was never sure about Truddy's gender/identity, using both randomly, I think a Genderfluid identity would fit her the best! (Artwork was done in about 10 hours)

And especially to those who still haven't reached that goal, I am rooting very much for you, and have my total admiration.

Happy colorful remaining pride month! I'm glad I could get a glimpse into the power you guys embody!