Voornaam, Today, October 11, 2023, is Coming Out Day. For all of you coming out today, or any day, you have always been family! Welcome to being able to say you are a part of the LGBTQ+ Community. We truly are glad to have you here! In this Caucus, you are accepted, respected, and loved for who you are. You are at home. In a world that is harsh, a world where who you love or how you identify may not be accepted, we offer our support and a helping hand. The Democrats provide a wide tent and the wide hearts that go with it—hearts that accept others as their true selves, hearts that look deep inside oneself to root our what makes us intolerant of ourselves and others. The Democratic Party is a safe place to do this and becomes safer as we all do. It’s a place of intersectionality and striving to understand one another; to include each other in our hearts as well as our minds. A place where our discrete communities find respect and saved space to become a part of the wider community. So to all of us, Welcome to Coming Out Day. What misperception or hurt about yourself can you come out from today, and become more of your own true self? Welcome home. I love you all! In Pride! Karen Rippberger |
