Another year on this amazing journey with these amazing humans, but I would be remiss to ignore the fact that it might be the hardest and most important one yet.

My personal journey on this team very much centers around national events - at Pulse, in politics, and in observing general human treatment of one another. While I am dismayed by what feels like a rolling back of progress being made for human rights and general kindness, I know that it's so much worse for so so so many others. It might not be much, but speaking up, showing up, raising money, and trying to raise spirits: these are all things I can do. And you can help me!

Foreboding aside, I am *thrilled* to share that my team is once again raising money for Rainbow Families! According to the Rainbow Families website, they offer a variety of educational programs, networking and community-building opportunities, and other support for LGBTQ+ families, parents, and prospective parents. The Rainbow Families vision is for a world in which LGBTQ+ families can legally, openly and safely live in full equality - can you help us help them?

For those who don't know, Cheer DC's March Fundraising Madness campaign pits our charitable cheerleaders against each other in a loving bracket-style tournament with a grand prize of bragging rights as the top fundraiser of the season. We get to compete, you get to support those in need, all the while the Rainbow Families community are the big winners.

And we all show up to show kindness and community vision for a better and more loving world.

Let me introduce my group mates for this year: Alex, Sarah, Zaria, Patty, and Ria, aka the 202! Why 202? Donate to us and we'll share our secret! We have coaches, educators, students, a nonprofit consultant, and a scientist - and those are just our day jobs! We will be lifting, throwing, flipping, flying, and cheering together down the World Pride Parade route in June, and we'll be asking, suggesting, not too proud for begging, and (yes, still) cheering together for your donations in this campaign.

You can donate right here! Or by one of the following methods - just make sure you let me or my groupmates know first so we can get credit for your donation!

Website: https://www.cheerdc.org/donate (put my/group's name in the cart comments)

Venmo: @Cheer-DC

Cash: we can make an arrangement!

And, of course, if you'd rather donate to someone else, that's okay, too. What matters is you give if you can - the world needs all the kindness it can find right now.

I wish I could say the future was clear, but I know that my team will do what we can to support and promote LGBTQ+ rights and fight the erasure of Transgender individuals. Thank you to Rainbow Families for the work that you do, to Cheer DC for being a space that has taught and learned and grown in equal measure, and to each of you for even considering joining us on this journey of spirited kindness.