On Friday, June 20, 2025, American Community Media hosted a virtual briefing that went beyond the rainbow flags—delving into what Pride truly means for identity, dignity, and community in today’s polarized landscape. The panel featured Helen Zia, Richard Rodriguez, and Aruna Rao—three compelling voices sharing intimate stories and urgent warnings.

“I remember when I could not bring my whole self into the room,” said Zia, a trailblazing journalist and activist. “To have to be a secret human being—it was painful. And today, it’s more relevant than ever to be visible, to bring all of ourselves into the community, because we are under attack.”

Zia shared a vivid memory from her activist past: “They sat me down and asked, ‘Are you a lesbian?’ And I said no—not because I knew I wasn’t, but because I didn’t feel safe enough to say yes.… It was stepping into the closet and slamming the door.”

Rodriguez, an acclaimed author, tackled the complexity of Pride. “I don’t feel that I chose to be gay—I feel that I was chosen,” he explained. “Being gay gave me the world. It gave me books, it gave me James Baldwin. It allowed me to imagine a life beyond the boundaries of my Mexican‑American, working‑class upbringing.”

Yet Rodriguez cautioned against superficial acceptance: “We are seen as comic figures in the media.… There is still a lack of texture to our lives. And in many ways, nothing has changed.”

For Aruna Rao, the snapshot of Pride is deeply personal. “When my son came out as queer and trans, I was terrified—not of him, but for him.… As a straight Indian immigrant woman, I felt lost. But love pushed me to learn.”

What began as conversations at her kitchen table has grown into Desi Rainbow Parents & Allies—a national support network for South Asian families.

But Rao didn’t shy away from the perilous political climate facing transgender youth: “Executive orders are erasing trans identities.… The Supreme Court recently upheld a Tennessee law banning gender‑affirming care for minors. This is creating gender refugees—families forced to move across states just to protect their children.”

The panel closed on a note of defiant hope. “Pride is not past tense,” Zia said. “It’s now. And silence equals death.”

As the Pride Month celebrations echo across the globe, many say we should remember that love must stand firm.