When I brought my kids to a Pride parade, they were overwhelmed at first. But I learned children belong at Pride.

• As a queer woman, I always loved going to Pride celebrations, but I worried about bringing my kids.
• My transgender wife, and I decided to bring them to a small celebration, and it was overwhelming.
• But a chance encounter with a stranger helped me put Pride into perspective. 

As a young queer woman in my 20s, I found it exhilarating to march down Fifth Avenue in New York City's Pride celebrations, joining the drumming, shouting, balloons, feathers, and sequins.

I didn't care if someone splashed their beer or bumped into me. I didn't have a care in the world at that time — probably because I wasn't a mom.