Welcome to our Sunday Summary for the week of 7 March-12 March 2022. We’re more international than usual this week–Adam is visiting Bangalore right now, Erika is still bringing us her stories from the USA. And of course J.D. Saward is writing from Australia. The state of the world hasn’t improved since last week. Among the events of the week, Ukraine is still fighting to maintain independence, and, as you’ll read below, Texas is again attacking the LGBTQ community. But we hope that you’ll find something for you here–fiction to distract you with, love to cheer you up, or inspiration to keep fighting for what’s right in the world.
Monday
We want our kids to survive, to thrive and to be here in the world. Letting people create laws that harm our kids is trauma. And the impact of trauma is permanent.
We talk about wanting to uplift our kids, about wanting to empower them to live in a better world or to grow into the best that they can be. Even as people simultaneously deny their right to be who they truly are.
Erika explores the political motivation behind the Texas government’s declaration that gender affirming care is child abuse. She also breaks down some of the myths and misinformation about what gender affirming care for children really is. We are reminded of just how widespread the legislation targeting the LGBTQ community has been in the past few years. It’s easy to feel powerless, but we do have a role in stopping state-sanctioned hate.
At a time when the international scene is so fraught, it’s less-than-comforting to see things falling apart at home, as well.
Tuesday
I got here two days ago. Still recovering from the jet-lag. And still meeting this person whom I’ve ostensibly known since 2016 and whom I’ve spoken to over the phone twice a day since the beginning of 2020. I know how she likes her eggs. How she likes her chai. We’ve talked about every topic under the sun. And yet. We are afraid.
Adam takes us along on his trip to Bangalore and takes us through some of the highs and lows of reuniting in a long distance relationship. We get a little peek at physically navigating a South-Indian city and a slightly larger one at navigating the first few days together after a long period of time apart. Adam also begins to paint a vivid picture of Bangalore that he will develop over the rest of his time there for those of us who have never visited India (except through books and film).
An international relationship may not be ideal in the abstract, but if it’s the relationship you have, you find ways to navigate the difficulties.
Thursday
Uncle raised the corner of his mouth in the way I had seen so many times before and called his “I need to be seen to be smiling” smile…
Thursday brought us the third “delivery” of J.D. Saward’s An Archaic Concept of Me. What happens next for Stuart? Is love in his future? What about intergenerational conflict? Catch up with Stuart and get ready for the next part of his story coming in April.
2 Rules of Writing garners an international audience, so it’s a good bet some of us gain insight into Australian culture only through works of fiction like this.
Friday
Adam:
I can understand the joy of reading fanfiction. When I’m armpits-deep in a series like this, all plot and no leisure, I’d like to read a few hundred pages about the extended cast of characters going to a beach or a bowling alley and just spending the evening drinking and gossiping and trying to navigate the awkwardness of their spiderwebbing sexual histories.
Erika:
I love this tradition, and it’s another reminder that civil disobedience can be celebratory. And If a community keeps it up, it can become a tradition.
After a brief ceasefire, the viola wars have returned. Watch/Listen/Read this week contains a great deal of storytelling about what Adam and Erika have recommended, too. Find suggestions for your next Bollywood film, queer documentary, piece of classical music, or poem from both Adam and Erika this week. And both Adam and Erika talk about mental health and consider how the commitment to the the watch/listen/read posts help them get through things sometimes.
Saturday
Big Cat and Little Cat are demanding stories. Tell me a story? Write me a Story?
Felines and human-kittens are alike in some ways… they’re always demanding stories. Big Cat and Little Cat are curious this week about writers. This time though, it’s all about how other people respond to the word “writer.” See what they’re asking about and leave your answer in the comments.
Keep watching the blog and our social media sites for information about our plans for National Poetry Month (we’ll stretch the meaning of the word national thanks to contributors from the US, Hong Kong, and maybe other places besides). We’ll be looking for suggestions from you, our readers, to help us with our plans. The best thing about an international website is being able to choose the best customs. So let us know if you the reader are anticipating a poetry event near you. No matter what city (or country) you might live in.
Make sure you‘re all caught up with your favorite 2 Rules writers and features by checking out all of our Sunday Summary posts.