Photo by Aian Tabor
As many will already know, June is Pride Month. For the theme of Unity, I worked with several contributors (who remain anonymous) to create a poetry piece about what it feels like to be unable to openly celebrate Pride. Pride can be a lonely time for members of the LGBTQ+ community who cannot embrace Pride- or themselves- openly. I wanted to create this piece by way of a safe space for those who wanted to celebrate Pride without their anonymity being waived.
Flowers Still Grow:
“Needles pierce my skin instead of teeth- “
“-In the past year, I’ve become disabled as well as queer- “
“I am not the way I should be.”
“Are you attracted to girls?
But the truth gets harder
(And harder)
As it goes on- “
“-Women will never know
How many flowers I hold for them
In my heart.
And it hurts.”
“Keeping up this great pretence feels like
I’m at the edge of the world on a
Silk carpet. It’s falling from
Beneath my feet and
The atmosphere is expanding-
So slowly at first
And then hurtling.”
“I just wanted to hold their hand.
Just once.”
I want to extend a sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to this incredibly personal piece. I would also like to encourage readers to research and potentially donate to some of the following charities that are working tirelessly to protect and give a platform to LGBTQ+ lives globally:
- OutRight Action International – OutRight works with securing rights in some countries where it’s illegal to be LGBTQ+. They “partner directly with human rights defenders, allies, and organisations.”
- Trans Lifeline – A support and crisis hotline ran by and for trans people.
- It Gets Better Project – A non-profit charity that aims to “uplift, empower and connect” LGBTQ+ youth globally.
- The Marsha P. Johnson Institute – Directly aims to protect and defend the human rights of Black transgender people through creating community for healing.
- ‘Queer’ Asia – A collective community of researchers and activists aiming to showcase and create a platform for “people who identify as LGBTQ+ or belong to other non-normative sexualities and gender identities in Asia or Asian diasporas and beyond.”
- Black LGBTQIA+ Therapy Fund – Created in 2020 to fund therapy sessions for Black LGBTQIA+ people in need.
Kindergarten 