Staying Proud with Aubrey Johansen It’s June, and in many...

Staying Proud with Aubrey Johansen

It’s June, and in many countries that means it’s time to celebrate #Pride2017. All month long, we’ll be sharing stories from the diverse LGBTQ community members from around the world, like Aubrey.

These days, 26-year-old Aubrey Johansen (@aubreystrawb_rny) is full of pride. “Pride is having the ability to thrive and know that you’re doing it. Pride represents my relationship with my fiancé. Pride is a way to celebrate the people who have fought hard for our rights, for love to win, for same-sex couples to live the same life as anyone else,” says the personal chef, who is based in Cleveland. “I hope we always feel lucky to be on this side of history, and that human rights can continue toward equality for all.”

Aubrey also celebrates her 161-pound (73-kilogram) weight loss. “October 7, 2014, is like my second birthday,” says Aubrey, who underwent gastric bypass surgery on this day. “It’s the day I got my life back. I wish more people understood that my weight loss surgery wasn’t an ‘easy way out.’ It was the hardest, most vulnerable thing I’ve ever been through.” On Instagram, Aubrey built a support system that, in addition to her fiancé, family and friends, sees her through tough days. “I know I wouldn’t be where I am on my journey toward health without the safe space to share my highs and lows and have a team of people ready with virtual hugs and high-fives,” she says.

by via Instagram Blog