There's
an American holiday this month that is often associated with family. I have been holding in my heart the too-many people I know and care
about who are not welcome at their family Thanksgiving, or who are
otherwise alienated or estranged from their families, born or chosen,
for refusing to lie. For not pretending to be straight, for not
pretending to be a gender they're not, for not tolerating abuse or harassment, for not pretending to be a religion they're not.
For living honestly and with integrity.
That integrity is often necessary for survival. Being alienated from our families may be the price we pay for our mental and physical health, but that alienation takes a toll in physical and mental health, too. The simple fact of that discrimination, that our families treat us that way, and the separation from our folks.
No one should ever have to choose between survival and our families. And too often, our families ask that of us. This shit is hard.
Our lives are worth that integrity.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Does something I've written or posted here speak to you? Then please leave a comment!
If you don't have a Google, Blogger, or Open ID account, you can use the "Anonymous" option, but, in keeping with Pagan integrity and Friends' testimonies, please do sign at least your first name.
Comments are moderated. Your comment will once it has been approved.
Due to a recent attack by a spambot, I have reinstated the word verification. If you are having problems with this, feel free to drop me an email at stasa dot website at gmail dot com. I am sorry for the inconvenience.