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June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. It is a time to recognize and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and more) communities, raise awareness about LGBTQIA+ rights and issues, and promote inclusivity and acceptance.

During this monthlong observance, we will spotlight LGBTQIA+ voices from across Fidelis Care and community-based organizations. Tiffany Majtyka, RN, Case Manager/Care Specialist II, shared the following:

I turned 48 this year, and for most of my life, I hid parts of myself from the world. Being a young adult in the early 1990s ­ before the rise of the internet ­ I didn’t have the resources to understand what it was to be gay. Mainstream magazines did not really cover gay relationships. Living in my small town in Michigan, I felt lost, different, alone. I had dreams of being a mom and wondered if that would happen. In 1994, reproductive medicine was not what is today. With no internet and no books to understand my feelings, I decided to suppress the feelings I was having. I headed on a path of living a heterosexual life, even though it never felt right. It was like I was living someone else’s life. I look back at that time in my life with regrets for not being my authentic self. But the silver lining from that time are my two children, who became my world.

Researching being gay in 2024 looks a lot different. Between social media, Google, and the news, there is so much more information. Three years ago, I stopped suppressing the feeling I was having and started to work on myself. I specifically started working with someone on my goals in life. I started my path to live my life as my authentic self. I started to attend queer events. I started to make friends with other women that were just like me. I started to feel like I was living my own life. I started to travel with my friends and saw the world in differently. I felt free. I came out to my kids, my family, and my coworkers at Fidelis Care. I was received with so much love and acceptance. My parents at first wondered if they did something that didn’t allow me to be me all those years ago. My kids told me that they were proud of me and loved me. I can remember thinking, “Wow, there are no more secrets, I am finally ME!! I am finally free.” Healing myself, obtaining my goals, living my life authentically, but I still was missing one thing. A relationship. I am proud to say in 2023, I married my wife and I now have four children. It’s a life that – back in 1994 – I would have never thought I could obtain.

Last week, I attended the Buffalo Pride festival. It was amazing to be me, to be seen. I think the moment that meant the most to me is the parade started with the kids from local schools. All marching with banners of what schools they represent. To see these young people able to be celebrated and seen and loved for exactly who they are. I wonder what my life would have looked like 30 years ago if I was growing up now. I also know the work is not done. There are still many issues at hand. I am proud to work for a company that has accepted me and celebrates me. A company that is working to bridge the gap in care for everyone. I genuinely believe the world can be changed by leading with kindness, and that’s how I plan to live out my life.

Celebrating pride means to stand in the light and take pride in celebrating love. Happy LGBTQIA+ Pride Month!