Amplify Voices | Pride Month

In celebration of Pride Month, we asked creative voices from across the country to discuss their legacy, inspiration, and what Pride means to them.

What does Pride mean to you?

To me, Pride means celebrating and embracing my authentic self, especially considering my upbringing in a conservative, Christian environment where accepting my own sexuality was a challenge. Pride takes on a different meaning when you've had to go through the process of self-acceptance. It represents the freedom to be unapologetically who I am and finding joy in that. It's a reminder of the progress we've made as a society, where being gay is now seen as not only acceptable but a positive and empowering expression of one's true identity.

How do your creative pursuits empower you to live with Pride?

As an entrepreneur and creative, my creative pursuits have played a crucial role in empowering me to live with Pride. They have become a space where I can fully express my authentic self and share my own perspectives and experiences. Through my work as the founder of Untitled Secret, a talent management and creative services agency, I aim to promote inclusivity and acceptance. I am humbled by the thought that my voice and presence have value and impact, and I hope I am able to inspire others to embrace their true selves and live with Pride.

How do you express yourself through style? And why is it important?

I like to bring a playful twist to my wardrobe—even surprising myself and pushing my own boundaries by challenging traditional gender norms when it comes to clothing. While I may not always be considered the most progressive in this regard, I firmly believe in the freedom to wear what makes you feel empowered and comfortable, disregarding the limitations imposed by stereotypes. By breaking down these stereotypes, I believe we can make a significant impact in terms of acceptance and progress. It's a powerful way to move the needle towards a more inclusive and open-minded society.

Who are prominent figures that have inspired you, queer or otherwise? And why?

I’m extremely inspired by Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who made championing gender equality her life’s work. Not only that, but she went at it from inside the system and was willing to work meticulously for the cause throughout her life. As someone who is acclimated to our current cultural climate of instant gratification, I find that seriously impressive. On another note, let’s talk Martha Stewart! She started her eponymous empire after the age of 40, and now—another forty years later—she’s on the cover of Sports Illustrated. I’m a huge fan of people who are never afraid to make big, life changing decisions, regardless of age, to pursue their passions.

What do you want your legacy to be?

Ultimately, my aim is to inspire others to live their best lives. I want to use my platform and creative endeavors to share stories about people and pursuits that I truly believe in. My goal is to encourage everyone to break free from limitations, pursue what they love, and find fulfillment in their own unique way.

What does Pride mean to you?

Chris: I like to think that Pride represents the multitudes we all contain. And so, for me, in one part, Pride represents a yearly marker of the journey I’ve personally been on toward self-love. From my Christian upbringing to my conservative hometown, I was severely bullied from age 10 to 17, having come out at a young age. In another part, Pride represents me today, prouder than ever to be part of a diverse LGBTQIA+ community that loved me before I even knew how to love myself. It's the realization that, just as I bring my own multitudes, an infinite more multitudes exist within our community, for each and every person. Pride is the sum of all of our parts, the struggles and successes we each experience, a kaleidoscope of all of our stories that exists not just in one month, but every day.

Brock: To me, Pride is the intersection of love, visibility, and rebellion. It is, in equal parts, the past, present, and future of those who have fought, do fight, and will continue to fight for our rights to exist, to define our own truths, and to love openly. As an out, gay man I have found power and pride through living my truth, visibly for over a decade. The people I’ve met, friendships I have made, and family I’ve chosen since coming out, have all underlined the ongoing importance of highlighting and celebrating our diverse community.

How do your creative pursuits empower you to live with Pride?

Chris: Everything we do, we do for constant, in-your face visibility — to share our life as a contemporary gay couple with the world. We create videos and photos that highlight our own slice of what a queer relationship looks like, and see our content as just one aspect of an incredibly diverse LGBTQIA+ community.

Brock: When we were younger, queer representation was limited to what you might or might not see on TV and in the movies — more often than not, there wasn’t any representation at all. Today, we create our own representation with every single post we share. There’s so much power in having “a say” — we hope that by leading our own life with love and positivity, and sharing along the way, that others feel inspired, safe, and welcome to share their own unique voices with the world.

How do you express yourself through style? And why is it important?

Chris: By not taking fashion too seriously. I really don’t wear anything that’s not comfortable to me, from the fit to the fabric to the size and vibe. If I don’t feel comfortable and confident with what I’m wearing, I lose my voice in a small way.

Brock: I couldn’t agree more, I see clothing and style as a constantly evolving performance of how I feel each and every day. Style is an opportunity to express all of the facets that each of us contain.

Who are prominent figures that have inspired you, queer or otherwise? And why?

Chris: I’m constantly inspired by Munroe Bergdorf for her fearless activism within the trans community, for her ceaseless advocacy of environmental justice, and for her calls for socioeconomic equality. I’m also endlessly inspired by Laverne Cox for her trailblazing career and visibility as a trans woman in Hollywood. The lavender ceiling continues to break more and more because of these two individuals, and we owe them both so much of our gratitude.

Brock: I’m inspired by Padma Lakshmi for her advocacy and activism of immigrant’s rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, and socioeconomic equality, and for her highly distinguished palette.

What do you want your legacy to be?

Our answer is the same for this one. Since day one, we've seen what we do as a celebration of love and joy. If we can continue to make people smile every day, remind them to love themselves, and find the good in the world, then we’ve done our jobs.

Anything else that we didn’t cover that you’d like to share?

We’ll leave you with our life motto, “Be love.” Happy Pride, lovers!

What does Pride mean to you?

Pride to me means embracing and celebrating one's authentic self, promoting equality, and advocating for the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

How do your creative pursuits empower you to live with Pride?

My creative pursuits empower me to live with Pride by allowing me to express my most authentic self, challenge societal norms, and inspire others to embrace their uniqueness and authenticity.

How do you express yourself through style? And why is it important?

I express myself through style by curating a unique and authentic aesthetic that reflects my personality and values. It is crucial as style is a powerful form of self-expression that allows me to showcase my individuality, boost my confidence, and communicate who I am without saying a word.

Who are prominent figures that have inspired you, queer or otherwise? And why?

It is tough to point out just a few that inspire me, as everyone inspires me in countless ways. Their diverse perspectives, achievements, and resilience ignite my growth and passion for new possibilities. Acts of kindness, unwavering determination, and wisdom constantly remind me of our limitless potential. They fuel my journey, showcasing the beauty of human connection and collective progress.

What do you want your legacy to be?

I hope that my legacy reflects a life lived with kindness, empathy, and a genuine desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others. I consider my legacy meaningful if I could leave behind even a small impact of compassion and understanding.

RYAN LOPES | ARTIST | HE/THEY

What does Pride mean to you? 

Pride is presence. It’s how I chose to show up for myself every day and allow the space to be free. Pride is practice, that exudes my self-happiness. It took many depths and layers, and I still am finding way. 

How do your creative pursuits empower you to live with Pride? 

I think a lot of my practices and expression is a part of resisting. Reminding myself to put me first and that there is a place for me at the end of it. 

How do you express yourself through style? And why is it important? 

I enjoy putting things together, and styles that were already there, so to say. Timeless, classic, though remaining subtlety expressive through pairings. Our style must be our own, because we physically wear and tells who we are with it. 

Who are prominent figures that have inspired you, queer or otherwise? And why? 

My peers, and family especially. We collectively have always pushed boundaries and put ourselves first in a way that is so unique and true. 

What do you want your legacy to be? 

I want my legacy to be free and allowed. I want to be in all spaces with those whom I love so much. I want us all seen and given what we deserve.