Journal Entries, Spring 2021
Purim –
Have you ever been in a situation where you felt threatened because of your identity? Had to hide who you really are? Is there anything that you would be willing to risk your life to protect?
This topic came up in our class on Purim this past week. I’m a little behind on journals, but trying to catch up. Every person, save for one I think?, who spoke during that discussion was queer. Of course we have all been in situations where we needed to hide who we truly are. I’m bisexual and transgender, and I was raised in Texas, Oklahoma, and rural Virginia. There are fundamental pieces of who I am that have not been acceptable in the places that I lived in and loved, but I wouldn’t change those pieces of myself even if I could. If I had the choice to be straight and a woman and everything everyone expected of me, I wouldn’t take it. I can’t even imagine that life, and I don’t want it. Why would this be different? I’m ready for hatred, I’m ready for the fights and the mistrust… but I’m also ready for the love. Communities that must hide themselves and protect themselves are often so full of such a fierce love for themselves and each other. I know queer people take care of each other. The families we build for ourselves, the celebrations we make our own in spite of hatred and disdain, the love we have for even complete strangers who share this part of ourselves… I think I’ll find the same. Why wouldn’t I step into that with an open heart?