Hello Y’all,

What a year we all have had. 

We’ve witnessed both personally, professionally and within the Alliance, shifts that have tested us. We encountered some pretty unexpected challenges which demanded us to dig deep, discover new ways of resilience we weren’t even aware we had, which unified our passion for what matters most to us.    

As we navigated through all this, we now are entering a season, where for many we traditionally take time to reflect, acknowledge what we are grateful for and even celebrate those parts of our lives where we are especially thankful.  

I know sometimes it can be difficult, there’s been so much chaos dancing in and out of our lives. Maybe that’s why it’s so important we take a moment to reflect, look for the good, and look for what DID work, where were those moments of joy, those areas that gave us hope, or inspiration to keep going.  

As I look back on these past 11 months, I am grateful for so many things like:

Sarah McBride was elected, first openly transgender member of the U.S. Congress, along with about 1,400 known out LGBTQ+ elected officials all over our Country!

 HRC reports “record-breaking participation” in Pride 2025 in the U.S. and “record participation” for Companies included in this year’s 2025 Corporate Equality Index. 

The Supreme Court refused to hear a court case that could have put Marriage Equality in jeopardy.

There are many other things I could have listed above, these are just a few. Even though each one comes with a “yeah but”, I am choosing instead to keep asking what is next? What else is needed?  

When I bring what I am thankful down to a more day to day level:

There’s my Family, Friends, Co-Workers, and of course Olivia.  

The people who are so devoted, who showed immense courage being unstoppable this past year to keep the Alliance alive. From Staff, Executive Leadership, the Board, Chapter Delegates, Chapter Leaders, Chapters, Partners/Sponsors and our Members. 

I am so thankful, my heart is filled with love, admiration for you all. 

Last year, I was grateful/thankful, but I was also worried. I was concerned about our future, the predictable, and also the unpredictable. Through it all, what is most important, we are still here!  

If you haven’t seen Wicked For Good, there is a song “No Place Like Home” to avoid any spoilers here just know the song starts with questioning why we are here, acknowledges the challenges being faced, but then ends with a call to action… (this part of the song is not a spoiler)

“If we just keep fighting for it
We will win back and restore it
There’s no place like_______”

It’s what there is to do, so put there whatever you want, For me, there is no place like the Alliance, this is one of the places I call Home. 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.