Stirring words, Logan! Your experience with that hate group was repeated around the country last year, from urban centers with long Pride histories to rural hamlets celebrating their first Pride march or festival. But no matter the opposition, queer people everywhere are coming out again this year — in spite of or perhaps even because of the threats.

Anecdotal evidence indicates that Pride is kicking off to a more powerful start this year than ever. Reports keep coming in of first-time Pride events even in the reddest of red states.

A jury in deep-red Idaho just dealt a crushing blow to the anti-LGBTQ activist who who used deliberately faked photos of a drag queen to inspire a heavily armed Patriot Front group. The "patriots" were trying to stop a new Pride group from celebrating. The "patriots" were trying to send that same message you heard, that we queer people don't belong in this country, that we aren't real Americans.

But a local Idaho citizen spotted them and called the cops. And now a group of Idaha jurors have stepped up to call out the hate.

With folks like you, the Parasol Patrol, and all the brave queer people who show up in growing numbers every June to honor the memory of the Stonewall riots, Pride will NEVER be extinguished!