Pride Month, People, and Why This Matters

As Pride Month begins, I've been thinking about the people I've worked with throughout my career.

Some knew who they were from a young age. Others spent years trying to understand themselves.

Some were comfortable being open about their identity. Others worried about how family, friends, coworkers,

or their community would react.

Over the years, I've sat with people who were struggling with rejection, shame, loneliness, and the

feeling that they didn't quite fit anywhere. I've also had the privilege of watching people become

more comfortable with themselves, build meaningful relationships, and stop carrying the weight of other people's expectations.

As a therapist, one thing I've learned is that there is a big difference between being tolerated and being accepted.

When people feel accepted, they don't have to spend so much energy hiding parts of themselves.

They don't have to constantly wonder whether they belong. They can focus on building a life that feels

authentic and meaningful. That's one of the reasons Pride Month matters. Not because everyone's experience is the same.

But because everyone deserves the opportunity to live openly, safely, and without shame.

When my husband and I started Pleasure Treasurz, we wanted to create a space where people could explore

intimacy and pleasure without judgment. The truth is that pleasure doesn't belong to one type of person.

It isn't reserved for people in certain relationships. It isn't reserved for people of a certain age.

And it certainly isn't reserved for people who fit someone else's expectations.

Pleasure belongs to everyone. Whether someone is exploring on their own, with a partner, or simply learning more about themselves,

our goal is to create a welcoming space where people feel respected and comfortable asking questions.

This month we're celebrating Pride by expanding our Pride Collection and continuing our commitment

to making Pleasure Treasurz a place where everyone feels welcome.

Happy Pride Month.

— Risa Katz, LCSW
Co-Founder, Pleasure Treasurz