Queer Joy Is in the Air: A Reflection for Pride Month

Queer joy is radiant in Chicago. As the days grow longer and the lakefront hums with life, we see it bloom—in the vibrant foliage, the laughter in parks, the music floating from block parties, and the sheer freedom of being. With the city coming alive, so too does our community. And as we gather, I invite all of us to lean intentionally into gratitude.

My therapist once told me, “As humans, we are wired for war.” It’s true—we’re built to scan for danger, to focus on what’s wrong. That pull toward negativity is strong: My body isn’t summer-ready. My friends didn’t text back. The world feels like it’s unraveling. These hindrances rob us of the beauty that’s right here, in the now. They tug us out of the present moment and into fear.

So here’s my challenge to you: Step away from the doom-scrolling. (I promise, the headlines will still be there when you decide to return.) Instead, take a breath—and then another—and reflect on what’s good. What’s beautiful. What’s true. Let yourself name at least five things you’re grateful for. But don’t just jot down, “my friends and family.” Go deeper. Be specific.

Say something like, “I’m grateful for the friend who sat with me in silence on a hard day, who didn’t try to fix it, just held space for me.” Or, “I’m grateful for the moment I danced barefoot in the grass and remembered what freedom felt like in my body.” The more vivid your gratitude, the more power it holds.

My hope is that in doing this, you give yourself a pocket of peace—a brief but meaningful release from the anxiety, fear, and worry that saturate our world. Even five minutes of presence can be transformative.

Because queer joy is here. It’s dancing in the sun, woven through our connections, and waiting to be witnessed. And you deserve to feel it fully because queer joy is revolutionary.