Having travelled more than an hour to attend her first Pride parade last month, 12-year-old Molly Pinta wasn't content to simply wait around and make the same trip again next year.
Instead, the young student, who is openly gay, set about planning a Pride parade for her small hometown of Buffalo Grove in Illinois - the town's very first LGBTIQ+ Pride event.
Pinta reflected on her experience at Aurora Pride Parade in suburban Chicago, telling NBC News that she "felt so amazed and wowed" by the celebration.
She continued: “I imagined having that in my hometown would be so cool and seeing the town supporting the community.”
With her parents behind her, she then reached out to Indivisible Aurora, one of the community groups behind Aurora Pride.
The organisation was quick to back the project, saying they "couldn’t help but be impressed and supportive".
Chuck Adams, founder and executive director of Indivisible Aurora, told NBC News: "Molly has such a self awareness for her age and we’re just thrilled to be a part of it in any role we can play."
Molly's mum, Carolyn Pinta, took to social media to share her daughter's message, encouraging people to donate to the cause.
"In this era of hate, please watch my 12 year old come out and proud and invite you to join her in loving and accepting everyone!" She tweeted, with a link to Molly's crowdfunding campaign.
