'We Are Lesbians!' Family Vacation Turns Into Dyke March Participation (VIDEO)

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Do you remember your first Pride event? Kayleigh certainly does, along with the impact that participating in Dyke March with her family had on her life.

Young Kayleigh took a trip to San Francisco with her extended family. Kayleigh describes this particular trip:

It happened to be Pride in San Francisco. We found ourselves in the route of Dyke March -- all these dykes behind us, walking down the streets in this massive crowd. Someone decided that we were going to march, and my sister and I hopped on my uncle's shoulders and a friend of his, who is now his wife.

The Salstrand family quickly became absorbed in the atmosphere and the energy of the March, and Kayleigh and her sisters vocally joined in on the parade:

At some point my sister and I start chanting, "We are lesbians! We are lesbians! We are lesbians!" -- all these dykes turning around and looking at us and laughing, which is great because it really does feel like Dyke March for me today, right? People smiling at you for whatever reason, noticing you.

This experience proved to be eye-opening and valuable for young Kayleigh. Not only did she witness members of the LGBTQ community openly and proudly expressing the queer side of who they are, but she got the chance to interact with LGBTQ adults, after only being exposed to straight adults:

It was important because my family saw me in this environment, and it was going to be OK for me to come out with my family and tell them I was a lesbian and that I was going to keep being a lesbian!

WATCH:

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