Struggle (Sunday Summary)

This has been a challenging week. We’re still reeling from the US Supreme Court’s Roe v Wade decision, and feeling the addition of more bad news as the Court seems set on dismantling more and more of the United States. We wrapped up Pride Month this week, too. We spent this week in celebration, in struggle, and in introspection. Looking inward deeply enough to talk about what’s really on our minds can be a struggle all on its own. Perhaps in doing so we’ve found some new insight and some peace, Perhaps you also will find something beautiful in our exploration.

Monday: When Everyday Things Become a Struggle

“I admit that things feel a little hopeless right now. And admitting that is important. Because sometimes Pride has to mean admitting that I’m not okay, or that I need help. That I’m overwhelmed or sad. That there are things I can’t do anymore and that I need to grieve for that loss.”

What happens when you want to enjoy Pride Month but you’re too sick to celebrate? Pride is protest and celebration and Erika talks about both. She considers the battles ahead facing the queer community and considers the growing need for allyship along with the importance of self-care and the importance of love in both protest and celebration.

Tuesday: The Struggle for Identity

“I sometimes get time-travel urges. Moments when I feel so angry and sad that I want to travel back in time to a given moment and change things. In this case, it’s to give my younger self a hug.”

How do we get comfortable with ourselves? Education. Adam tells us a story about a confusing episode from his own childhood and considers how the education he received helped him figure some things out. What was missing that might have helped him understand even more? Adam doesn’t stop there either. He takes the time to for some real introspection, as he questions his own experience with labels and identity. What lessons about love might have made this less confusing for Adam?

Friday: The Struggle for Safety and Community

“It’s not our world that we need to prepare children for. It’s one that has changed since we were children. And one that keeps changing. It’s always going to be difficult to talk about the things that have changed because they are unfamiliar and perhaps even frightening to us. That doesn’t absolve us of the responsibility to do it.”

As Pride Month winds down for another year, and draconian laws like Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” laws go into effect, Erika confronts the hard work coming up ahead of us. With a Supreme Court in the US set on dismantling so many things that we value, there are many battles to fight. It’s a very important time for allyship, too. As we confront the next steps for the queer community we need to keep love in mind while we work to make the world a better, safer place.

Saturday: Shared Values… or Not

“Love is not a binary and neither are values (precious little is, if you pay attention).”

Saturday as always, brings us a question from the cats. With all the introspection this week, and deep thought, they too got in on the discussion and want to talk about values. Go visit the Caturday post and see what they’re asking and answer their question.

Looking Ahead

Pride month may be over but there may be more queer stories to tell. We’ll see what happens this week. We’ll also bring you a new piece from Shi Huiwen, too. And the cats are never quiet. In fact, Frob has tried to insert his opinion into this piece several times today.

We could all use a laugh. So here is an excerpt from Jubilate Agno (Rejoice in the Lamb) by Christopher Smart. The whole poem isn’t about Smart’s cat. Which is why the rest of the poem is not important to read right now.

For I will consider my Cat Jeoffry.

For he is the servant of the Living God duly and daily serving him.
For at the first glance of the glory of God in the East he worships in his way.
For this is done by wreathing his body seven times round with elegant quickness.
…
For having done duty and received blessing he begins to consider himself.
For this he performs in ten degrees.
For first he looks upon his forepaws to see if they are clean.
For secondly he kicks up behind to clear away there.
For thirdly he works it upon stretch with the forepaws extended.
For fourthly he sharpens his paws by wood.
For fifthly he washes himself.
For sixthly he rolls upon wash.
For seventhly he fleas himself, that he may not be interrupted upon the beat.
For eighthly he rubs himself against a post.
For ninthly he looks up for his instructions.
For tenthly he goes in quest of food.