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Three years after bravely coming out as gay, former Bachelor star Colton Underwood finally attended his first-ever Pride celebration. In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Underwood, 32, shared his thoughts on taking this monumental step at West Hollywood’s Pride celebration over the weekend.

“Not that I didn’t feel qualified, I just wasn’t ready yet,” Underwood told Us Weekly while promoting his partnership with Pressed Juicery. “It’s taken me a few years to really put the work in. To learn and advocate and fight next to our community and understand where I fit in in all of that.”

Underwood, who became a household name through his reality TV appearances, acknowledged the mixed reactions he faced during his journey. “I was likely celebrating alongside people who maybe had judged me in the past or had things to say when my Netflix show was coming out or even still might not totally agree with how I’ve handled everything,” he admitted. Despite this, his experience at Pride underscored a message of unity and support. “We’re all part of the same community. We have each other’s backs and nobody can get in between us.”

His journey to self-acceptance and public celebration has been anything but simple. Underwood’s public coming out journey began during an April 2021 interview on Good Morning America. Later that year, he starred in the Netflix reality series Coming Out Colton, which detailed his struggles and triumphs as he navigated his newfound identity in the public eye.

Attending Pride for the first time was particularly poignant for Underwood and his husband, Jordan Brown, as they are expecting their first baby via surrogacy. “I’ve been on a rollercoaster now for almost two years going through this process with Jordan,” Underwood shared. “We’re at a place now where we’re just so overwhelmed with joy and excitement. There aren’t really nerves. When you’ve tried for two years, you’re kind of ready for it.”

Related: Colton Underwood and Hubby Expecting First Baby Together

Underwood also spoke about the outpouring of support they’ve received as they prepare for their son’s arrival in early October. “It’s been so cool to have so many people in our lives send us products, tips, books, all of these different things,” he said. “We’ve felt so supported and so loved. That’s felt really good.”

Underwood’s Pride debut wasn’t just a personal celebration; it was also a professional highlight. He partnered with Pressed Juicery for the event, meeting fans outside their West Hollywood location, mere steps from the famous West Hollywood Pride Parade on Sunday, June 2. The collaboration featured Pressed Juicery’s limited edition PRIDE Pack, which includes custom labels on three of their best-selling juices, designed by talented LGBTQIA+ artists.

“I’m very excited to be involved with a company that supports the LGBTQ+ organization on a year-round basis,” Underwood emphasized. “That’s always really important to me in everything I do, to make sure that the companies and the people I work with during the month of Pride actually work with organizations on a consistent basis and not ones that just put up a symbol and a flag for the month.”

The proceeds from the PRIDE Pack help benefit PFLAG, the nation’s largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQIA+ people. Through this partnership and his presence at Pride, Underwood continues to demonstrate his commitment to the LGBTQ+ community, blending personal joy with purposeful activism.

As he steps more confidently into his role as an advocate, Colton Underwood’s journey reminds us all of the power of visibility, the importance of support, and the unifying spirit of Pride.

Related: Gay Ex-NFL Player Underwood Slams Butker’s LGBT Hate