Taking Pride

I've never been one to be too open about my sexual orientation, or gender identity for that matter, as I've felt it was something that really didn't seem to matter much to me. I've honestly never felt like I was part of the LGBT+ community even though I'm pansexual. I can't explain why I felt that way, I identify with them, I've taken part in their culture, and some of my closest friends are part of. I submerged myself in this community without even knowing it and in a way that felt so natural...
When I heard about the tragedy that happened in Orlando June 12, I pushed the thought out of it of my mind, I'm a mentally weak person and I was also out of town for a job so I didn't let my mind wonder into the event to much...
Then I got home... I opened up facebook (something I rarely do nowadays) to see the response that people were having to the event. Thats where I found out more details about it... and then it hit me... A wave of emotion struck me so hard that I felt physically sick just thinking about it. My mind wandered to my friends, the people I love most, the thought of them being in danger just because of who they were or what they identified as. My mind flashed back to the nights me and my boyfriend went to a local gay bar to support one of our friends as they performed in the bar's monthly drag competition. I imagined how the bar where the tragedy happened must have looked after the attack... I imagined my friends going to a place where they would fit in and feel welcomed for who they were... only to be greeted by death at the hands of a hateful individual... The thought that kept coming back into my mind was that I live just an hour or so away from Orlando... And for the first time I felt glad that some of my closest friends had moved to different states.
My heart is in pain as I think of the hateful act that brought a massacre to such a community. A community that has given me some of the greatest friends I have ever had, a community that has shown me acceptance and love, a community that taught me to be confident in myself... A community that taught me the meaning of pride.
I can now say with confidence that I'm proud of who and what I am, no matter what others think of me.  
Be proud of who you are, whether you are gay or not, find confidence in it and love yourself. 

This piece is a self portrait of sorts. I usually don't draw people or am I good at that them, but the main focus of the piece is the symbolism conveyed in the colors and other design choices. The words, while cliche, hold meaning to me and delivers a positive message to the audience.

In times like these we need to spread love and support, especially to the people that need it most.
Please don't bring any sort of hatred or politics into the comments.
My heart goes out to the victims of the tragedy as well as their family and friends.
Love and support each other, if you need any help or just someone to talk to reach out. 
Stay strong.