Let me just preface this by saying that I am a straight, white woman. Gender equality may not be 100% there yet, but I can say that I have never felt oppressed. I'm nowhere close to having lived a privileged life, but my life has been comfortable and happy.

So, this month, I wanted to focus my article on a minority that's often underrepresented in the media and marginalized -- the LGBTQ+ community. For those of you who don't know, June is national pride month. This month is set to recognize trailblazers within the LGBTQ+ community, to recognize the progress we have made to sexual equality, and to place a precedent on what we still need to do to achieve full equality.

But this was the first time in over eight years that the current executive administration didn't recognize this month as pride month, and to be honest, I am beyond frustrated.

We have come such a long way within the last decade. In 2015, marriage equality was solidified with the Supreme Court ruling of Obergefell v. Hodges. Transgender actors, such as Laverne Cox, are being represented on screen. But, we still have such long strides to make.

Only 13% of main characters in television shows or movies identify within the LGBTQ+ community, but half of the time, they fit known stereotypes or prejudices associated with being lesbian, gay, or transgender. Gay men are often represented as feminine, while lesbian women are recognized as masculine. During Pride Month 2017, I challenge each and every one of you to advocate for our fellow brothers and sisters. I advocate for my best friend, who just happens to be a gay man. I advocate for members of my university, many whom I find as good friends and colleagues, who identify as someone in the LGBTQ+ community or is still questioning their identity. And most of all, I advocate for those who I have yet to meet.

We need to break down prejudice. We need to remember trailblazers, like Harvey Milk and those innocent bystanders who tragically lost their lives at the Pulse Shooting in Orlando last year.

No matter what this current administration stands for, I stand as an ally for my LGBTQ+ friends. You are important and you matter. This isn't a bipartisan issue. Let's make a change.