All year long.

For the past five years, President Barack Obama has declared June to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. In 2011, Mark Dayton became the first Minnesota Governor to walk the Twin Cities Pride Parade.

Every Minnesotan should go to the Pride parade at least once in their lifetime. It’s the ultimate form of self-expression. You can’t possibly stick out. There is no right thing to wear. If you have a kid who likes to dress up or you have been dying to wear that superhero cape, here’s your chance. This is what the world would look like if inclusion, pride and love was always present. And, the stereotype of “gays know how to party” is absolutely true! Here is the website to find all the pride you can stand in Minneapolis.

We live in an amazing state. Not just in June when the month is filled with gay-friendly activities — parks, parades, parties and gay people everywhere! All year round we are acknowledged and supported. On February 28, 2013, a bill was introduced in the Minnesota Legislature to legalize same-sex marriage in the state. On May 9, it passed the House of Representatives by 75-59 votes. On May 13, 2013, the Senate passed the bill by a vote of 37-30. Governor Mark Dayton signed the bill into law on May 14; same-sex marriage became legal and recognized in the state on August 1, 2013. Minnesota had 12,224 same-sex couple households in 2011, according to the American Community Survey.

This Pride (as in years past), we will celebrate as a couple and a family. We have our annual chick-only party to kick off the weekend and then we always go to the parade down Hennepin Avenue and Loring Park. Sure, our partying is different post-kid, but what an amazing experience he gets to have to be a part of such a loving and fun community of people.

Backyard dinner. This is what it looks like when it isn’t Pride.

There can be this misperception that we party like this all of the time. Mostly, when it’s not Pride weekend in Minneapolis, we are just two people raising a kid and a dog. Doing our best to contribute to the world we live in with respect to all of those who work tirelessly every day to make sure every person has equal rights. This is my family in our backyard having dinner. Not my gay family having dinner in my gay backyard. You won’t find me wearing a rainbow shirt or waving a gay flag, but I sure am proud. I am proud of my relationship, my community and that I have the privilege of living in this state.