Help Zoey raise money

This year's theme is "remember why", and I hope that we remember to celebrate the gamut of triumphs and tragedies that got us to this point and that we can infuse our Pride with both radical joy and energy to continue fighting discrimination, oppression, and violence everywhere.

When I visited Oklahoma last month to celebrate the graduation of my former students, I got to witness firsthand some of the small triumphs that my 2SLGBTQ+ students achieved while never forgetting the many challenges and trials that they faced to get there. I have a particularly special place in my heart for my trans students, some of whom have faced extremely difficult situations both interpersonally and institutionally just for being who they are. As I look to their futures beyond graduation, I hope that we can make positive changes and reverse some of the particularly egregious legislation that has been passed in Oklahoma and beyond the last few years.

Although I run a few races every year, the Run to Remember 5k is the only one I actively work to fundraise for because I truly believe in all of the organizations that are being supported. From supporting Two Spirit and trans youth, to helping provide food and basic necessities to 2SLGBTQ+ folks in Durham and those living with HIV/Aids, to creating a network of Gay Straight Alliance clubs across religious schools to combat homophobia and transphobia in those institutions, the beneficiaries of this year's Pride Run are doing critically important work.

Thank you for reading, and I hope that you can donate, share, and/or do something meaningful this month that will improve the lives of 2SLGBTQ+ folks anywhere.