https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/veteran-comes-gay-obituary-now-195928535.html Col. Edward Thomas Ryan revealed his "secret" in his own obituary dated June 8, 2024 In it he wrote “I’m sorry for not having the courage to come out as Gay,” he wrote. “I was afraid of being ostracized: by Family, Friends, and Co-Workers. Seeing how people like me were treated, I just could not do it. Now that my secret is known, I’ll forever Rest in Peace.” You want to know why we have "Pride Month"? This, this is the reason. A man, who was a decorated Army veteran, a retired firefighter, could not come out as gay because he saw how "people like me were treated". It's one thing to insure that gay people have the same rights...a needed thing. But insuring rights is only part of the battle. As long as there are people afraid to come out as gay because of the social implications we will continue to need things like "Pride Month". Until bigotry against gay people is as unwelcome as other forms of bigotry we will need to have "Pride Month"
