Fanetupoupaluvava’u

For almost four years I have been so privileged to dedicate my life’s work to the advocacy of queer people. I have done this through building programming that is reflective of the needs of queer folks, and is rooted in mutual aid and trauma informed care (at least I try to) And I’m so grateful to do this work with the people I do, especially Jesse and Ty. I love doing this work with them, and the fact that I can stand with them to advocate for ourselves as queer and trans folks, and for our brothers and sisters and kiddos means so much more. This work has been healing to my inner child, often times I found myself reflecting on all the times I would cry myself to sleep wondering why can’t I be “normal”. Or the years that I would do a weekly fast to be “normal”. I get to be surrounded by people every day that choose themselves in ways that I never got to until way later in life, and I think that’s so powerful and fucking cool of them. We have the biggest honor every day of being a small part of my community’s network of care. The amount of growth we get to witness when they find community and care is such a privilege. So it’s a hard day. Queerness has saved my life. Trans people have saved my life. I’ve never felt as close to god as I do when I am around my queer community. And my heart is breaking for my kiddos who are watching their validity and livelihoods up on the chopping block again. And I am sad for my trans siblings who despite being adults are watching our government chip away at their rights to bodily autonomy. It is a shame and an embarrassment to watch this government listen to charlatans who only have an agenda to hate, and uses the lack of education among the masses, and lack of queer studies, to their advantage. My heart just hurts today.