A constant struggle for a lot of LGBTQ folks is finding support and community, especially in rural areas. Oftentimes, when LGBTQ news is talked about, the narrative is focused on queer suffering. While addressing the issues and violence around those events, it’s important to remember that we can work to end suffering while also working to enable and build queer joy.

Way back in August of 2022, I wrote about ways to react to someone who comes out to you. Now, I want to flip the script and talk to the people who are maybe considering coming out for the first time or to a new group of people. Coming out is something you do multiple times, and as I’ll get into later, not everyone has an “official” coming out. Everything I am going to say below is under the assumption that whoever is reading this is ready to come out, and feels safe to do so. If you do not feel safe coming out to a particular group of people, make your safety a priority!

I am sure most of us in the LGBTQ+ Community know all too well what it feels like to live in a world that often encourages conformity, the essence of authenticity stands out as a beacon of self-discovery and genuine connection. Being authentic means embracing who you truly are, free from the constraints of societal expectations and the pressures to conform. Let’s explore the meaning of authenticity, why it's crucial, and how you can embark on the journey of being authentically you and ultimately, a happier you!

Last year I talked about some ways to check in with yourself when it comes to the New Year and doing some kind of resolution. This year I want to expand on some of those ideas, introduce some new ones, and also look at ways you can use these tips to help others in your life by offering new tips/tools for them to use if you see them struggling.

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.