Since we are back in the holiday season, there will be a lot of people traveling and seeing family that they don’t see that often, or maybe for longer than normal. This can be a very awkward time of year, especially for LGBTQ people, as we try and navigate who we can be ourselves around, what topics of conversation we have to avoid, and even sometimes having to choose how a partner is introduced. For folks that have a disability, a history of substance use, or any other background that is not deemed by society to be “correct,” there can be a lot of stigma around their identity that can bring extra stress to the holidays.

As we enter November, that means holidays and family and food and colder weather. This year, I want to remind our readers how the language we use can be affirming, or make LGBTQ+ folks feel belittled.

We are back into the spooky season! Favorite time of year for many people, and as I’ve mentioned in a previous newsletter, the birthday of many new Drag personas. A big part of October, and Halloween specifically, are costume parties. For some people, it could be an excuse to try a new outfit under the veil of being a costume, or maybe push themselves to wear something extra and wonderful that has different components than what they normally wear.

With it being September, school is starting back up and for some students, and even some teachers and staff, it could be a big year of change. Maybe some folks have come out to themselves or their friends over the summer, or are in a brand new space and feel overwhelmed with the amount of new things in their life. I want this article to serve as a refresher on some places or organizations people can go to for a safe place.

I wanted to talk about this after our Pride Festival where we did have some protesters present, but also had some amazing allies that spent part of their time doing what they could to make sure the rest of the community had a good and safe time at the event. This segment is going to be speaking directly to the allies out there, although like I mentioned in a previous segment, people within the community, especially cis LGBQ+ folks, can and should be allies for each other as well.

Most of the time when people think of allies for the LGBTQ+ community, they think of cis-het people who are outside of the community and doing the work to support and lift up the people within the community. However, even within the community we can be allies to each other and help against both external threats, but also internal threats. These internal issues could look like biphobia, transphobia, and misogyny, as well as issues involving racism and anti-fat bias to name a few. I want to use this space to not only address a few of the issues that are happening within the community but also a reminder that we are a stronger community together - when one of us is hurt, the rest of us are hurt as well.

I’ve talked before about ways to take care of yourself, including setting healthy boundaries or checking your anti-fat bias, and this month I’m going to continue that by talking about some self-care tips. Now, this is not me telling you how to do self-care or what does or does not qualify, but there are some things to take into consideration before you spend your hard-earned money.

Spring is here! It may still be a little snowy and chilly as we start April, but we all know that warmer weather is coming soon, and with that is also the desire to get that “beach-ready body.” This is the time of year when many people think it’s appropriate to comment on others’ bodies, and many people struggle with internalized anti-fat behaviors as a result of societal pressures, media, family, and even strangers. I do want to be clear that this topic has a lot of different layers that can coincide with cultural issues, health and medical issues, sexual issues, and disability issues – and this is by no means an exhaustive list, but a way to start the conversation that can hopefully lead to larger change.

Like the title says, I want to discuss the current political climate across the country. While New York State is one of the only TEN STATES that have not introduced anti-trans bills, 2023 has seen a massive increase in legislation that aims to block or remove protections for trans people.

So with Valentine’s Day coming up, I know many people will be looking to do something nice if they have a significant other (or others!). I want to take this time to just remind everyone, regardless of how you identify…