Technolandy

Day 169 (of 2025/26) wow… the haters gonna hate, hate, hate on #PrideMonth (and I haven’t even had time to check the comments section of the #NationalIndigenousHistoryMonth posts yet…)

When I post and share things regarding SOGI, I anticipate getting some direct messages that are rather… “insulting.” It comes with the territory. But as an ally, I would much rather have the hatred and negativity directed at me than at others.

Some not even being discreet: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/republican-congressman-straight-up-declares-homosexuality-has-no-place-in-america/

Especially in a school environment, I want the heat to come to me.

Today I wandered through the comment sections on a few Pride-related social media posts. In particular, some posts from sports teams. The amount of anger, exclusion, and outright hostility sitting there was disappointing.

As an educator, and as someone who believes deeply in inclusion, I want everyone to feel like they belong. I think of the song from Sesame Street about “the people in your neighborhood.” The ideal is simple: we share communities, schools, workplaces, and teams. We do not all have to be the same to belong.

What struck me most was how many of the comments weren’t really about Pride at all. They were about deciding who is “in” and who is “out.” Who deserves recognition and who does not. Who should be visible and who should stay quiet.

That is why Pride Month still matters.

Not because everyone agrees.

Not because every company changes a logo.

Not because every social media campaign is perfect.

It matters because there are still people who scroll through those comments and receive a clear message that they are unwelcome. Pride exists, in part, to send a different message: you belong here too.

As educators, we talk a lot about creating spaces where students feel safe, valued, and connected. Those ideas are easy to support in theory. The real test comes when we encounter people whose identities, experiences, or perspectives differ from our own.

Belonging is not measured by how we treat people who are just like us.

It is measured by how we treat people who are not.

So yes, the comments can be discouraging. They remind me that there is still work to do.

The existence of angry comments doesn’t convince me Pride Month is unnecessary. If anything, it reminds me exactly why it still exists and why I will continue to wear rainbow bowties and pride ties throughout the year, not just on special days or months.