Bernard Alvarez

Matthew Shepard's story still breaks my heart. 💔

More than 25 years later, his name reminds us why Pride still matters.

Pride isn't just about celebrating who we are. It's also about standing together and saying that violence, hatred, and fear have no place in our world. While we've made incredible progress, LGBTQ+ people are still being bullied, assaulted, and even killed simply for being themselves. Until that changes, our work isn't finished.

I dream of a world where no parent has to bury a child because of hate. A world where every LGBTQ+ person can walk down the street, hold the hand of the person they love, and simply live without fear.

That's the future we're building together.

So let us remember Matthew—not only for the tragedy that took his life, but for the compassion, understanding, and determination his story awakened in so many hearts.

May we choose kindness over cruelty.
Love over hate.
Hope over fear.

Because every single person deserves to live openly, safely, and authentically. 🌈❤️

One of the most freeing lessons I've ever learned is that forgiveness isn't something we do for the other person—it's something we do for ourselves.

When I find myself holding onto hurt, I try to remember that every ounce of anger, resentment, or bitterness is energy I'm carrying. I'd much rather use that energy to heal, to love, to create, and to be present with the people who truly matter.

Forgiveness doesn't mean we forget what happened or pretend it was okay. It simply means we stop allowing the past to have so much power over our present.

It's not always easy, and sometimes it's a journey rather than a single decision. But every step toward forgiveness is a step toward peace.

Happy Pride weekend witches. 🏳️‍🌈🎉🏳️‍⚧️🎉😘

Never forget that life can change in ways we never see coming.

The situation you're facing today is not necessarily the one you'll be living tomorrow. New opportunities appear. Healing happens. Doors open. People grow. Circumstances shift.

You don't have to know how it's all going to unfold. You don't even have to have all the answers. Just stay open to the possibility that something better may be making its way toward you.

Nothing lasts forever—not the difficult seasons, not the uncertainty, not the struggle.

Let that bring you a little peace today, and perhaps even a little hope.

You know what? I never knew...
This Pride Month I've been spending some time learning more about our history, and I was surprised to discover that Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera didn't just fight for LGBTQ+ rights—they helped create the first known shelters for homeless q***r and trans youth in America. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Think about that for a moment.

At a time when many LGBTQ+ young people were being rejected by their families, pushed onto the streets, and told they didn't belong, Marsha and Sylvia opened their door and created STAR House. They didn't have a big budget, government grants, or corporate sponsors. They simply saw people in need and chose love over indifference.

To me, that's one of the reasons Pride is still so important.

Pride isn't just about parades, rainbow flags, or celebrating how far we've come. It's also about remembering the people who cared for our community when few others would. It's about making sure every young person knows they belong, every voice is valued, and no one has to face the world alone.

The more I learn about our history, the more I realize that Pride has always been about community.

And community begins when we open our hearts, open our minds, and sometimes simply open our door. 🌈❤️

"Be the person who helps someone believe they belong."

Happy Pride, my friends. I love you all.

Happy Father's Day

To all of us whose children now walk beyond the veil,

Today may carry both love and sorrow.
The world may not always see our grief,
but our hearts remember every laugh,
every hug,
every dream,
and every moment shared.

The love between a father and child does not end when a life ends.
It changes form.
It becomes memory, blessing, longing, gratitude,
and a bond that time itself cannot break.

If your child is no longer here,
you are still a father.
We are still fathers.

We are fathers in every story we tell,
every tear we shed,
every candle we light,
and every act of love we carry forward in their name.

May we feel their presence in the quiet moments.
May our memories bring more comfort than pain.
May our hearts be held with tenderness today.

And may we remember:

Love does not die.
A father's love never leaves.

To all of us who carry our children in spirit,
Happy Father's Day.

Blessed Be.

Happy Solstice, everyone!

Whether you're celebrating the longest day of the year or welcoming the return of longer nights, I hope this sacred turning of the seasons brings you joy, peace, and a renewed sense of wonder.

Wishing you beautiful days ahead and many blessings on your path.

Blessed Be. ☀️