How My Pride Sneakers Sparked a Bigger Conversation

When my Pride sneakers arrived in the mail a few months ago, my daughter gave me a puzzled look.

“But… you’re not gay. Why would you wear them?” she said, genuinely curious.

It was such an honest question, and the perfect invitation for a conversation I didn’t know we needed.

I told her the truth:

“No, I’m not. But I wear these shoes because I want the people in my life who are to know that I see them, I support them, and I stand with them. Sometimes, the loudest love is shown in quiet ways.”

I could see the confusion evolve to recognition as her wheels started to turn, revealing a bigger message.

She saw that allyship isn’t just about words or parades. It’s about what we choose to stand for, even when it doesn’t directly affect us. It’s about showing up — not just for ourselves, but for others.

And she was watching. Learning. Absorbing.

Modeling Allyship as Mothers

Pride month is a celebration of identity, courage, and community — and for those of us who aren’t LGBTQ+ ourselves, it’s also a reminder: we have a role to play, too.

As mothers, we shape the way our daughters see the world. We model what compassion looks like. We set the tone for how they respond to difference, how they stand up for others, and how they love out loud.

That doesn’t always mean grand gestures.

Sometimes it looks like a pin on your backpack, a rainbow sticker on your water bottle, or yes — a pair of Pride sneakers that spark an unexpected conversation in your living room.

These small acts plant seeds.

They tell our girls:

• Everyone deserves to be celebrated for who they are.

• Love belongs to everyone.

• We use our voices and choices to lift others up.

• Kindness and courage go hand in hand.

Why It Matters

When we normalize support for the LGBTQ+ community through everyday choices, we raise girls who are confident, kind, and unafraid to stand for justice, even when it’s quiet. Especially when it’s quiet.

We’re not just raising “nice girls.”

We’re raising future advocates. Allies. Change-makers.

And it starts with us.

A Simple Invitation

So I’m continuing to wear my rainbow sneakers during Pride month and in the many months to follow, not to make a statement about me, but to send a message to my daughters… and to anyone else who needs to hear it:

You’re seen. You’re supported. You belong.

Let’s raise daughters who are brave enough to be kind — and who understand that allyship doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful. Sometimes, it just starts with a pair of shoes.