๐๐๐๐๐- 1. a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired. 2. consciousness of one's own dignity 3. be especially proud of ๐๐๐๐๐ month is necessary because it brings awareness, a sense of community, and ๐ง๐๐ค๐๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ช. It took me years to feel ๐๐๐๐๐ in my sexuality and Iโll always be vocal and outspoken about it because I know what itโs like to try to hide, to โfit inโ, to want to be accepted authentically, to be condemned by the church. I wear my ๐๐๐๐๐ as a badge of honor so that I can potentially give hope to someone else whoโs trying to step into theirs. Because of my own ๐๐๐๐๐ Iโm able to absorb a lot, but I understand that everyoneโs capacity is different.
As the lgbtq+ community becomes more visible, the hate gets louder. Truthfully, this year, Iโm tired. Iโm tired for the collective, not just myself. Iโll write my โtired pointsโ in 1st person centering myself but holding space for those that identify with it but canโt step into those emotions physically, mentally or publicly.
Tired of ducking & dodging comments like theyโre ammunition and Iโm in battle.
Tired of trying to prove the validity of my relationship and ward off the hateful and judgmental glances and remarks.
No one is trying to push an agenda, indoctrinate your children, or attack your religion. Queer people are quite literally just trying to fucking survive. And if youโre Queer + BIPOC + woman + not able bodied + neurodivergent + poor or any combination of those itโs often that much harder.
Tired of the condemnation from groups of people that are supposed to spread love and acceptance.
If you and your beliefs feel like theyโre under attack imagine how TF we feel when weโre just trying to live our lives, the same as everyone else, all the while having to sift through comments of peers that devalue our family, our relationships and our love. For some queer folx, they are literally attacked, beaten, sexually assaulted and sometimes killed because the belief of their attacker is that the way they live their life is wrong. My soul is my own to save. If youโre concerned, pray for me. If you want to make a difference or understand why people are stepping away from religion, practice what you preach.
Tired of making strides forward to feel like Iโm constantly being pushed back. Why is my existence is that much of a threat to your own beliefs?
People complain about the ๐ง๐๐ค๐๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ช and conversation of nuances related to the queer community in media and TV, they say itโs being forced upon them. But we exist IN REAL LIFE, itโs nice for us to see people like us, like our families represented in all spaces.
โขโขโขโขโข๐ง๐๐ค๐๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ช is important because it can be the difference between life and death. โขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโข๐ง๐๐ค๐๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ช is important because it empowers people to be their most authentic self and fosters self love. โขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโข๐ง๐๐ค๐๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ช is important because it literally shows people they are not alone and fosters affirmation of self.
People say to stop sexualizing childrenโs movies and shows by showing queer people or families like mine but theyโre perfectly ok with heterosexual love represented in those same movies.
People say the ๐๐ถ๐พ๐๐ท๐๐ has been hijacked by gay people but a ๐๐ถ๐พ๐๐ท๐๐ often represents hope, I.e the calm after the storm, ๐๐ถ๐พ๐๐ท๐๐ baby after miscarriage, etc. A ๐๐ถ๐พ๐๐ท๐๐ by definition is an arch of colors formed in the sky in certain circumstances, caused by the refraction and dispersion of the sun's light by rain or other water droplets in the atmosphere. As a queer person the ๐๐ถ๐พ๐๐ท๐๐ to me symbolizes diversity within our community, beauty, and the hope for love and acceptance.
Let me make it clear, Iโm incredibly grateful for amazing friends and a supportive family and this year Iโve been very cognizant as to where people stand. This year has been about protecting my peace and deterring any negative energy. We can have a difference in opinion, but just know I fought internal battles to be the person I am today, Iโm protective of my family and community, and any attempt to subject that negative energy this way will be returned to sender! Iโm also filtering out what gets consumed online and you might find yourself deleted (or you can save me the time) because ya girl is tired.
Queer folx: check in! How you feeling? Inbox is open if you need it!
With love,
Jessie
