As Pride Month comes to a close, I must admit that here at Canopy, we have struggled to find the right words this month. Given all that’s been happening, our team — like many of you — has been caught up in a real sense of gloom and worry about our current state of affairs. If you follow the news, in the last six months we’ve witnessed how society can become less inclusive, less welcoming, and (some might say) less kind.
Today, I’d like to share a story of joy and hope. A story that demonstrates that we’ve come a long way over time and that in many places, we are embracing those around us, no matter whom they choose to love.
Last month, our youngest son, Daniel, excitedly shared that he was going to propose to his partner, Ben. He talked of buying a ring, figuring out where he was going to pop the question, and all the details of what he was planning in the lead-up (breakfast sandwiches, a trip to the farmer’s market, a ride to the bird sanctuary) and after the official ‘ask’ (a surprise birthday/engagement party). We’re happy to say: It all went off without a hitch. Ben said yes, and that night and the next day, family and friends joyously celebrated and toasted the new couple.
This day was special in so many ways — from anxiously tracking their locations to wondering how Dan would ask (he did get down on one knee) — but what is truly amazing is that we didn’t blink an eye that our son was asking another man to marry him. Like our other three kids before him, this was one of our kids deciding to marry the person they loved and wanted to spend their life with. Everyone close to the couple — parents, siblings, friends, and even their 80- and 90-year-old grandparents — celebrated the news exuberantly. (Side note: The waitress at the restaurant where we first shared the news might have been the most excited of all, and bought us a round of champagne to toast the new couple.)
As the two of them started planning for the wedding, it was so reassuring and uplifting to visit wedding venues and have our joy shared by so many vendors. We were all greeted so warmly; no one batted an eye, and many of the photos of venues and weddings they showed us featured same-sex couples.
We know what we shared that engagement weekend and these subsequent weeks as they’ve embarked on their wedding plans is a gift. Not every couple gets to experience that love, joy, and welcoming. We also know that more than 10 years ago, this wouldn’t have even been possible. We are thankful for that and don’t take it for granted.
At Canopy, we are committed to fighting the fight to create welcoming and inclusive spaces for our families, colleagues, and friends in the gay, lesbian, trans, and queer communities. During this time, more than ever, we can’t take the progress that we’ve made for granted. These freedoms can be taken away if we don’t speak up and speak out.
But today, also remember: Despite all that we are reading in the news and seeing in our social feeds, there are bright spots of joy, love, and happiness happening around us. We all need to embrace those moments and stay vigilant so that we don’t lose them.
— David Walsh, President & Chief Advisor
