Queers Read This!

     Hey there friends! It’s a crazy world out there so I hope you’re all staying safe and sound, trust me every time a new news headline pops up, I start going more and more insane. Sorry for being late, y’all caught me lacking haha. Also Valentine’s Day is almost here, and love is in the air. Normally I’d say something quippy but honestly I have nothing that insightful to say. I just remember going to junior formal and honestly that just spoke for itself, like seriously the overtness levels were off the charts. But you know, if Valentine’s day is good for anything, it’s appreciating the chocolate and squishmellows and hanging out with your besties because as long as capitalism exists, we get to have our cake and eat it too.

     In other news, congratulations to our incredible President Brianna for her new job at Starbucks! If you need an early morning coffee or midnight drink, rest assured she will be there to serve your every need! We stan hardworking students trying to make money cuz in this economy you’re gonna need it.

     Anyways, we have our awesome Pop the Balloon event coming up this week + plenty more!

This Week

     Join us this Wednesday, February 12th from 7-8pm in the Gowen Room for our Valentine’s Day event, a remix on the popular internet dating game Pop the Balloon!! If you wanna see some drama unfold, or get a really cool match, please stop by!! If you would like to participate (and yes you absolutely should!!), please fill out this form (Link).

Coming Up

Queer Joy: Learning to Exist Authentically as Ourselves

     I wasn’t originally planning on writing anything this week (very exciting queer highlight coming in two weeks that I’m very passionate about!!!!) but then I had a small experience last week that really stuck with me, so I felt naturally compelled to say something.

     For context, I have severe allergies from when I was a wee little lad, and as of 2 years ago, I’ve been consistently getting allergy shots both back home and at UHS as consistent medical treatment. I’ve gone to UHS long enough that the nurses and staff there have kind of grown to know who I am. Well, the other Wednesday, I went to just get my allergy shots, as per usual, and the admin person at the front desk there (shoutout Laura, you’re so nice!! And UHS too, y’all are such an awesome environment!!) was asking how I was doing, you know the usual small talk. Then she asked me things that give me joy and that I do for fun, and I wasn’t really sure what to say; I don’t really tend to know what I do for fun except scrolling because life is just so busy. We did talk a bit about gaming, which personally I can’t attest to as much since I haven’t really gotten the time to play games (I am like 5% done with Persona 5 and then got lazy and stopped playing).

     Suddenly, the person behind her compliments me on my hair color, and then Laura goes up and says something along the lines of (I’m paraphrasing); “I was gonna bring up the nails (they’re newly painted black now) but the hair is also really nice. See, you do have fun things you do, and your self-expression is important, and it brings me joy seeing that.” Although I avoided more personal questions, it ended up striking me personally, since I never considered the types of positive feelings & contempt that would come with simple things like painting my nails, or even considering that as something fun.

     Throughout the two years I’ve been out, I’ve been faced with a lot of questions on why I identify the way I do, what goes on in my head & what am I thinking, etc. and I never really had a proper answer. And not having a concrete answer sometimes felt pressuring, and made me wonder if I was trying to fit in or seem cool; after all you could not get me into sports but somehow if you started talking about makeup I’d randomly be really and wanna learn more (if you have tips please help me). But honestly, I think it was that conversation that finally made me realize that it’s ok for me to not have a complex answer. Sometimes there’s comfort in simple things like finding out a new label or name for yourself, having a pride flag on your backpack or wearing a cool unique outfit. I always heard this rhetoric going around about “why do the gays need to be so loud and showy, where are the ‘normal gays’” but honestly, we’re just existing as who we are. Maybe being “showy” is our way of finding happiness in a world where we’re often ostracized, bullied and have our rights taken away. I know every time I also face worry that I’d be ridiculed or branded, but small moments like the one I had at UHS remind me not to be afraid and that there’s joy to be found in self-expression.

     There’s a lot going on in the world. I don’t say a whole lot about it here or online, but don’t mistake my silence for complicity; I know things are tough; I’m feeling them personally too, every single waking moment. But rest assured, in spite of all the challenges life faces us, we must never forget who we are, and that’s something no human or piece of legislation can take away from us.

See you this Wednesday! <3