“miss, why does pride month exist?”

because today i heard
two thirteen-year-old
boys treat the phrase
happy pride
as an insulting “joke”
rather than a celebration.

because a child
can call another child
a slur to their face
and not even flinch
at the bile spilling
out of her mouth.

because too many
kids have to whisper
“please don’t tell my mom”
for wanting to love
someone
in the same way
their peers love
someone.

because in 2026
“gay” is still
the worst thing
another person
could call you
in the seventh grade.

because a trans student
cannot feel safe
walking the halls,
using the restroom,
or being herself
unapologetically.

because i have to
teach love
and unteach hate
over & over & over
& over & over again
and it is still
not
enough.

because tonight
somebody’s child goes home
and cries themselves to sleep
because they believe
they were born
wrong.

baby,
you weren’t made wrong.
this world was.