Because I'm Proud- One Mom's Journey to Become the Best Damn Ally She Can Be

Happy December - cue the holidays!

This next part is all of the questions I have about how you celebrate the holidays, so if that kind of thing makes you roll your eyeballs, skip to the next part lol.

Can you imagine, though,  what it would mean to young people who identify outside gender norms to see themselves represented on stage? Or the validation a non-binary individual might feel to be included in a company no matter their gender at birth? 

When I think about it, isn't this what needs to happen everywhere? Don't we need to burst our imaginary bubbles of what is traditional and "appropriate" regarding gender roles so that anyone of any gender can achieve their goals and live their dreams?

I've been thinking about the different identity terms in the LGBTQIA+ community. It has been important to me to know these terms on a practical level since we design and create jewelry and accessories using the colors of the different pride flags. On a personal level, there are so many people that I love that are members of this community and I want to honor them by educating myself. I thought memorizing the colors of various pride flags was my way of better understanding the community, empathizing, and being a better ally. Nope. Memorizing and understanding are two different things. (Obviously, right?)

I've been thinking about this so much because I live with someone who recently told me that they identify as genderqueer. Researching on the line is a great way to learn about sexual identity, there is so much great information, but I want to understand and connect on a deeper level. 

Fortunately, this person is happy to answer my questions. I asked what genderqueer means to them, why they identify as genderqueer, and what they think is the most important thing for me to know as I seek to understand.

Please don't think that I believe it's another person's job to educate me about their identity. I believe it's my responsibility to research first before asking questions and to make sure it's ok with the other person before I ask anything. I know that these personal truths are sacred and often tender, and I am honored when someone trusts me enough to share their story.

If you have experiences like mine I would love to hear about them. I think that it is only by communicating with each other that we will strengthen our connections and our communities. That really is how peace begins.

Thanks for reading and for being part of this community.

until next time,

Ellin (she/her)

We're still basking in the wonderful that was. Out! Raleigh Pride on June 25. It was just so much, well, wonderful!

Yes, there were loud detractors citing misinterpreted biblical text, but those were met with shouts of "love is love" to drown them out and there were so many more examples of love and inclusion and respect than of hate.

 Family after family stopped at our booth and looked for buttons or pins or jewelry or keychains that represented and affirmed their children.

One young adult was so moved by a child's wish for a button and their parent's affirmation that the young adult bought said button as a gift.

There were folks who asked questions (which my lovely young mentor was able to answer quite well, teaching me in the process) and others who made great suggestions for designs that we've taken with us and started making.

Even in the ridiculous heat, and the extraordinary number of people, there was so much joy and love that it fills me up even now.

All I want to know now is how do we keep that wonderful going. Because we need to. We have to. This community deserves that kind of love every day, everywhere.

Hope you have a great week, 

thanks for being here,

Ellin (she/her)