"I am tired of hearing the "If you don't like it, leave" argument. How do we expect to become a better state when we are running everyone off? It is #mymississippi too. We are all Mississippi and together we can be the change that we want to see. " 

This week at the TEDWomen Conference in San Francisco, songwriter and producer Tena Clark debuted her new gospel anthem “My My Mississippi.” The single honors the Magnolia State’s LGBTQ community and its relationship with the place they call home.

People from across Florida, Texas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, and beyond have made known the importance of visibly supporting the youngest members of the LGBT community:

Sofia, a bisexual Latina woman, says of southern Texas, “The culture is beautiful and rich and there’s something so comforting about seeing the big ol’ 10 gallon hats, with the big ol’ belt buckles, and the sound of music playing…At the same time, I wish it was a little bit different. I wish that we could come here [and] not be afraid for our safety.”