In celebration and recognition of Pride Month, we dedicate these love letters of support and affirmation to you – our LGBTQIA+ friends, students, colleagues, family members, and peers.
We wrote these letters to let you know that you are welcome, needed, valued, respected and honored, and we hope they give you inspiration, hope, and pride in who you are.
Submit a Letter
LOVE LETTERS TO THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
Be who you are. Love who you want. Live life. Every month and every day of the year. I love and support you.
Nat Cao Andreae, The Center for Aging & Disability Education & Research (CADER)
Saturday, June 10, 2023
The importance of self love…
JM Drake’s poem, “Truth in Me”
I have no desire
to fit in.
No plans
to walk with the crowd.
I have my own mind,
heart
and soul.
I am me
and it
has taken years
to realize
how important that is.
Shared with love,
Judith
Judith Gonyea, Professor at BUSSW
Friday, June 9, 2023
You are cherished, celebrated, and loved. Your presence in this world enriches it immeasurably. Thank you for teaching me the true meaning of love, acceptance, and resilience. Together, let us continue to pave the way towards a future where every person, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, can bask in the warmth of love and acceptance.
Renee Spencer, Professor and Chair, Human Behavior, Research, and Policy Department at BU School of Social Work
Friday, June 2, 2023
Proud to voice my unflagging support for my family, friends, and members of BUSSW who count themselves as members of the LGBTQIA+ community!
Daniel Miller, Associate Professor and Director of the PhD program
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Dear community/Querida Comunidad,
Remember that we matter. We deserve love, connections, and liberation. This Pride Month I hope the world is reminded of our worth, humanity, and dignity. Sylvia Rivera said that during the Stonewall riots, she thought, “My god, the revolution is here. The revolution is finally here!” May our work as social workers contribute to this revolution. ¡Sí se puede!
Luis Alvarez-Hernandez, BUSSW Assistant Professor
Thursday, June 1, 2023
We see you, love you just the way you are, and will fight for your rights. Happy Pride Month!
Ruth Paris, Associate Professor
Thursday, June 1, 2023
she asks me what it’s like,
loving a woman, when I, too, am a woman.
and she laughs,
which one is the one who sits and watches tv while the other one cleans?
she asks: how does your love work?
do you trade off who goes off with their friends while the other one stresses?
but our love works like this:
she saw her favorite dessert in our fridge
and she waited until I came home so we could split it.
-anonymous
Sending love, light, and solidarity to my fellow LGBTQIA+ folks! Happy Pride!
Molly MacMillan (MSW’19), Graduate Admissions Advisor
Thursday, June 1, 2023
You are loved and accepted as you are!
Taylor Hall
Thursday, June 1, 2023
As we celebrate pride this month, we stand in solidarity with our LGBT community and denounce the attacks on our trans siblings. We see you, love you, and are in the struggle to build a world centered on equity, inclusion, and justice.
Love and Solidarity,
Dawn Belkin Martinez and Ellen Devoe, Co-Chairs of the BUSSW Equity and Inclusion Committee
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Boricua/Latinx/Latina orgullosa de nuestra raíces, proud of our roots. A fragmented USA, diasporas longing for no violence, end to misplaced colonization of identities & border walls; Why is my love still a sin? Fortaleza; Afro-Latino drums play songs del Coquí, aquí estamos, así somos, Happy PRIDE!
Luz M. López, MSW/MPH Program Director & Global Health Core Director, Center for Innovation in Social Work & Health
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
Not everyone will have the opportunity to witness your brilliance.
Despite this, let your light SHINE!
You are never truly alone in this sea of humanity.
A community surrounds you that will continue to support you, fight for you, and love you just the way you are!
In solidarity,
John Deric Galandines, MSW Student
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Dear LGBTQIA+ community,
May we embrace each other’s humanity and walk together with compassion and love.
Sending love and and support,
Deborah
Saturday, June 18, 2022
No matter where you are in your journey, please know you are not alone. There are so many of us who see you, support you, and love you.
“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” – Maya Angelou
Anonymous
Friday, June 17, 2022
Proud to be able to voice my support for all members of the LGBTQIA+ community! We are here for you!!!
Dan Miller, Associate Professor & Director of the PhD Program at BUSSW
Thursday, June 16, 2022
Thank you for being who you are! Your voice, hopes, love, courage, joy, and struggle matter, guide, liberate, saves lives, and make the world a better place. Happy Pride!
Jordana Muroff, Associate Professor at BUSSW
Thursday, June 16, 2022
Happy Pride Month!
This is your reminder that you’re loved, you’re appreciate, you’re special, and you matter <3 whatever you’re going through, you will get through it. Stay strong!
Samantha (MSW’25), Clinical Therapist
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
Whether you are out and proud, unable to come out for whatever reason, or somewhere in between:
I see you. You are loved. You are valued. Continue to unapologetically and relentlessly live your truth and know I stand with you in where ever you are on your journey towards it.
Anonymous (SSW’21), forensic social worker
Monday, June 13, 2022
Happy Pride! Excerpted from a longer poem of mine:
I have walked where mountains / rise through ancient sea beds uncontained / Seeds will blow undetected / lie fallow for a season / then flourish in their reason / breaking stone. / We insist on living where people may love whom they will, unfettered and free.
Geoff Wilkinson (SSW’85), Clinical Associate Professor, BUSSW Macro Department
Sunday, June 12, 2022
To my trans son: You are the joy of my life. I have always seen you, in every way, but to see you now— happy, whole, and true is the greatest joy of all. I love you.
Anne Detweiler (SSW’97)
Sunday, June 12, 2022
Know that you are a spark of the Divine and deserve all the Unconditional Love and support that is your birthright.
Carol Rogers, BUSSW alum and clinical social worker
Sunday, June 12, 2022
Sending a “Mom” hug to all of you. So proud of your courage to be your real selves. I’d send a real hug except I’m on the west coast. If you ever need a BU Mom, I’m here.
Betsy Guinn (SSW’79), U.S. director of a non-profit in Cambodia
Sunday, June 12, 2022
Who YOU are is a member of our family, our community, our town, our world. Keep shining your light and live your life with passion AND compassion. Happy Pride Month! 🏳️🌈
Kim G. (SSW’90), LICSW, Private Practice
Thursday, June 9, 2022
To my family members, J & J: I am so happy you found each other and that each of you are making your way through this challenging world with grace, determination, humor and pride. For you and all of the LGBTQIA+ community – you are loved unconditionally. Love is love.
Michele Walsh, Director of Marketing & Communications at BUSSW
Tuesday, June 7, 2022
To all the LGBTQIA+ members of the BU Community and the community of human beings: I see you and love you for your true selves. You are valued and add so much to our world.
Tom Byrne, BUSSW Assistant Professor
Monday, June 6, 2022
Thank you for living your truth, so that others feel like they can live their truths.
MSW Student (Anonymous)
Thursday, June 2, 2022
I see you. We value you and we stand by you. We honor your strength and resilience during a time when others challenge your voice and love. Happy PRIDE – shine bright!
Con mucho amor,
Ellie Zambrano, Executive Director of the Center for Innovation in Social Work & Health at BUSSW
Thursday, June 2, 2022
A special message to all of you!
In Portuguese:
Wishing you happiness, peace, respect, and strength! HAPPY PRIDE.
I am thrilled that we are launching this… why? Because you matter, and you are valued. We are here to support you. Know that you are not alone. Celebrate your pride!!
Daniel Jacobson López, BUSSW Assistant Professor and creator of the School’s Love Letters project
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
I am so proud of you. Whether you are out and proud, or proud and hidden for whatever reason – you are valid and you are loved. There are always people who are willing and ready to love you. You are amazing the way you are. Happy Pride to my community <3
Anonymous (SSW’23)
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
This is to all of you and to my amazing children. I see you and I will fight for you.
Ellen R. DeVoe, BUSSW Professor
Tuesday, May 31, 2022
I see you! I respect you!!! I love you!!!
Cory Oliveira, BUSSW Faculty Advisor
Tuesday, May 31, 2022
Thank you for being in the world. You have so many gifts and talents that the world needs now more than ever. Keeping shining your light brightly. Sending a big warm Mom hug to you all.
Lori (she/her) – Worcester Hybrid Program
Tuesday, May 31, 2022
Dear Amazing LGBTQIA community,
It’s not an easy world out there but know that so many of us have your back and are there for you 150%. We can’t explain the ignorance and hate you face sometimes but we do know that love always wins. Keep following your dreams and living your life as YOU.
Alessandra, Founder of BU Parents United
Monday, May 30, 2022
I love you as your authentic self and take you as you are. You are loved!
Taylor Hall (SSW’19), BUSSW lecturer and PhD graduate
Sunday, May 29, 2022
Let your beautiful, authentic self shine! My family and I stand with you!
Lisa Pirwitz (SSW’22), MSW student
Saturday, May 28, 2022
Dear friends,
This letter expresses my solidarity and support to the LGBTQIA+ community. Saddened by the anti-LGBTQIA+ laws and anti-transgender policies put forward, I want you to know I am working along with wonderful people to build a world that values, uplifts, and loves everyone!
Jorge Delva, BUSSW Dean and Professor
Friday, May 27, 2022
I love you for who you are!
Anonymous – Online Program
This project is an initiative of the Boston University School of Social Work Equity & Inclusion Committee. If you have any questions, please contact Daniel Jacobson López at djlopez@bu.edu.