Happy Pride Month and Juneteenth From The FruitGuys!
- By Erin Mittelstaedt
- Reading Time: 2 mins.
My wife and I celebrated twenty years together this year—but we’ve only been married for ten of them. Some people have asked me why it took us so long to get hitched, and well, the answer is complicated. First, there are various reasons related to me and commitment that my therapist could share. Then, there’s the other piece: It wasn’t legal.
What Pride Month Means to Me
I didn’t realize how important the legalization of same-sex marriage was to me until it happened. I was working at The FruitGuys office in South San Francisco on June 27, 2013, when the news broke. The Supreme Court of California had just dismissed an appeal, and by doing so, it effectively made same-sex marriage legal in the state again after a five-year ban.
I ran into the main office area to share the news and immediately started to cry. My now-wife and I were already planning our “wedding” at the time, but it took on a new meaning that day. It’s a powerful thing to be recognized and validated by others.
I have so much gratitude for all of the LGBTQ+ people and allies who came before me and fought for the rights we have today. I also recognize that we’re not done yet. There’s still work to do to further the rights of everyone, not just LGBTQ+ people. Still, I’m hopeful that acceptance and inclusion continue to grow.
Another Reason to Celebrate: Juneteenth!
June is full of reasons to make merry. Not only are we celebrating Pride, but we also closed our office on Wednesday, June 19, to honor Juneteenth, which commemorated the end of slavery in the United States. And in typical FruitGuys style, we’re celebrating both of these June holidays with food.
Juneteenth & Pride Snacks
Check out our Marketplace by the Case page to read about some of our favorite Pride snacks and Juneteenth snacks. We’re featuring brands like Two Chicks Jerky (the only women- and LGBTQ+-owned jerky brand in the US) and Pipcorn (a family-owned popcorn business with founders who identify as “Black, White, Chinese, and Queer”).
Happy Juneteenth and happy Pride Month!
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