Pride Is Still a Celebration—and Still a Necessity

June is Pride Month, a time when we celebrate the courage, creativity, resilience, and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. It is a time for joy, visibility, and connection. But it is also a time to remember that many of the rights and freedoms LGBTQ+ people enjoy today were hard won through decades of activism, advocacy, and personal sacrifice.

For many of us, Pride has always been about more than a parade or a rainbow flag. It is about affirming the dignity and humanity of every person. It is about creating spaces where people can live authentically, love openly, and express themselves without fear.

That is why Pride feels especially important this year.

Across the country, we are witnessing a troubling rise in anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and legislation, much of it targeting transgender individuals and young people. Rights that many assumed were settled are once again being debated in courts, legislatures, school boards, and public discourse. These efforts affect real people, real families, and real communities.

History reminds us that progress is rarely permanent. The freedoms we enjoy today exist because previous generations stood up, spoke out, and refused to accept exclusion as the norm. Their work created opportunities for all of us to live in a more open and compassionate society.

First Pride Parade, NYC, 1970 - National Geographic

As artists, we understand the power of visibility. Art tells stories that might otherwise be silenced. It helps us see ourselves in one another. It builds empathy, challenges assumptions, and creates opportunities for meaningful dialogue. At its best, art reminds us that our shared humanity is always greater than our differences.

Whether you identify as LGBTQ+ or as an ally, now is a time to show up for one another. Community matters. Friendship matters. Solidarity matters. Small acts of support matter. The simple act of gathering together in celebration can itself be a powerful statement that everyone deserves to be seen, valued, and welcomed.

That spirit of community is exactly what we hope to create at our upcoming Second Sunday Salon on June 14 at the Colvin House.

We're thrilled to welcome the incomparable jazz artist Robin Watson, whose energy, artistry, and joyful presence will undoubtedly light up the evening. Photographer and poet Chuck Kramer will share selections from his powerful FACES exhibition, originally shown at Center on Halsted, along with new photographic works. He will also be joined by two outstanding poets from Chicago's LGBTQ+ community: Lauren Staten, a familiar and beloved voice on our stage, and Timothy David Rey, who will be making his Salon debut.

The Colvin House team will be offering wine, beer, a signature cocktail, and a special menu created just for the occasion. Knowing their creativity, I'm hoping for a little rainbow magic.

Most importantly, we'll gather as a community—to celebrate art, friendship, diversity, and the simple but profound belief that everyone belongs.

I hope you'll join us.

Happy Pride.

— Linda Solotaire Founder & Artistic Director

True Muse Arts