Resist and Rejoice

Hello, everyone!

I know it has been a while since I've posted. As I'm sure most of you can understand, life has been dealing me quite a few difficult hands lately, and I haven't had the mental capacity to write a proper post. As part of my self-care during this time, I have significantly decreased my media consumption, but that doesn't mean I am not aware of what is happening. After all, it is difficult to be completely immune when the digital world is omnipresent, and those we love most dearly are being targeted.

If I'm coming back at anytime, it will be during Pride because it literally encompasses all peoples of every ethnicity, race, and culture. It always has. I love to break it to you: there has never been a time when LGBTQIA+ people did not exist; you just may not have always seen them. And guess what? There will never be a time when they don't exist. You may drive them undergound for a while, but you will always fail in your heinous attempts to eradicate these beautiful, brave, courageous souls.

The first Pride was a riot---and I don't mean a good time (although if you ask Ms. Zazu, Ms. Sylvia, and Ms. Marsha, you might get a different answer). Over the years, it has become a giant sponsored party with most major companies paying lip service to score brownie points with their customers for 30 days while doing next to nothing to advocate and support the LGBTQIA+ community the other 335 days of the year. This has never been more apparent than when the current regime "demanded" companies revoke their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies, and so many companies bent the knee. While celebration and joy are wonderful and part of what Pride should be, the essence of what Pride was meant to be has been lost until now.

In the face of apalling laws and attempts to erase our existence both here and abroad, Pride has once more become resistance. We are not going anywhere. We will exist loudly and proudly. We will keep fighting until all members of our community are safe and have guaranteed human rights.

Have a happy and safe Pride to all who celebrate! You are valid, your identity and experiences are valid, and I love you.