This is so beautiful. Thank you for writing. Thank you for sharing. Fuck, the world needs your authenticity. Feel honoured to read incredible writers and souls speaking their truth on here, it further inspires my own.
“Each step toward self-acceptance is a triumph over the fears that once silenced me, illuminating the path toward authenticity and empowerment.”
You don’t know how much I resonate with those words, and the sentiment of your publication / expression / artistry!
I’m here to heal and reclaim my inner child too, and all of her expression, too! Removing the shackles of my own inner imprisonment of my truth through layers of trauma… it’s brave work. And this piece is sooo important! I’m so glad to find so many women and non-binary folk of all nationalities and cultures on this platform deconstructing all of these poisonous patriarchal and colonised narratives! I feel less alone! And it lends strength to keep writing too. To keep sharing truth in a society that thrives on lies and oppression.
This got long (I am a verbose girl and a lover of words) - but I’m sending much love and warmth through the internet ether from the South Pacific :) xxx
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 as a newly “coming out” lesbian I loved this read! I’ve been attracted to women my entire life but forced to conform due to my upbringing. Until I met my now wife, she changed the game for me. I never talk about my childhood experiences that pointed to my ‘queerness’ but reading yours confirms that many of us share similar experiences. Thank you for sharing. You’ve inspired me to explore more truths about my own story! 10/10 girl!
Remembering, or perhaps reliving the injuries of the past has always been a roadblock for me. I spend little time on them these days, but had to realize, first, how paralyzing it was to allow those experiences to remain a part of my sense of myself so many years later. Good riddance! The greatest mistakes I have ever made were not allowing myself to be known. What a shit life! Your vulnerability is a blessing for all who understand the importance of it. Your suffering was a hard read, but your triumph is invigorating. There is nothing wrong with you...there never was!!
"Queer as in, everybody needs to mind their own fucking business and let me figure this out." This is amazing. I have a bit of a confusing story. I came out as bi at 16 but as an adult tried to accept I preferred woman but forced myself (though I did enjoy some of them) into relationships with men. Experiences with women just confirm it for me but I'm such a difficult position, there is one ex, a male, that I have a deep connection with and got back together with then we quite quickly got separated due to him being somewhere else. Now I have to face it, he knew from the start there was a chance I couldn't settle down with a man, but damn it's hard. Sorry I'm rambling I haven't said thus to anyone but one friend.
I love your writing, the authenticity, the honesty, all of it.
Thank you for having a space that feels safe enough to be open about this 🙏.
Yeah it's definitely a push pull and has been too long, I need to be me.
I can't explain what your words mean to me, it's everything to know someone hears me and zero judgment. Well thank you I so appreciate that but I feel I'm the one who should be thanking you for this.
All I got is "that was beautiful. this is my story. I'm so glad you wrote it!" Thank you for sharing this with us and I'm so proud of you for "coming out" on your own terms.
Happy Pride! I’ve known since my middle school days (1997-2000), but being in that time and space and still liking boys enough slammed me back in the closet for a very long time. And then my Saturn return happened and then the pandemic made me release my whole story. Every June and honestly every day gets sweeter and easier and better.
Bravo for owning all of yourself and doing so clearly - no ramble involved. I quite enjoyed this. This will certainly free others. Peace to you and evolution for all.
Felt! No, this doesn't sound like rambling. You're sharing your truth and it is respected. Continue showing up and being your most authentic self.
🥰🩷✨🐝
Thank you so much sis. For real.
This is so beautiful. Thank you for writing. Thank you for sharing. Fuck, the world needs your authenticity. Feel honoured to read incredible writers and souls speaking their truth on here, it further inspires my own.
“Each step toward self-acceptance is a triumph over the fears that once silenced me, illuminating the path toward authenticity and empowerment.”
Thank you so much. I was so nervous to publish this one. But my entire arrival on this platform is an exercise in pressing publish.
I appreciate this more than I can say.
You don’t know how much I resonate with those words, and the sentiment of your publication / expression / artistry!
I’m here to heal and reclaim my inner child too, and all of her expression, too! Removing the shackles of my own inner imprisonment of my truth through layers of trauma… it’s brave work. And this piece is sooo important! I’m so glad to find so many women and non-binary folk of all nationalities and cultures on this platform deconstructing all of these poisonous patriarchal and colonised narratives! I feel less alone! And it lends strength to keep writing too. To keep sharing truth in a society that thrives on lies and oppression.
This got long (I am a verbose girl and a lover of words) - but I’m sending much love and warmth through the internet ether from the South Pacific :) xxx
Wowowow. Thank you yet again. We live a verbose girl around this place!
You’re absolutely right that this is brave work. And we are brave folk. I can’t wait to read your work too !
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 as a newly “coming out” lesbian I loved this read! I’ve been attracted to women my entire life but forced to conform due to my upbringing. Until I met my now wife, she changed the game for me. I never talk about my childhood experiences that pointed to my ‘queerness’ but reading yours confirms that many of us share similar experiences. Thank you for sharing. You’ve inspired me to explore more truths about my own story! 10/10 girl!
You honor me so so much. Thank you friend.
Whew! Your writing is so tactile. I didn't read it, I felt it. You were generous with this.
Oh this is a huge compliment. It resonates so deeply for me. Thank you very much.
Thiiiiiiis!!
Remembering, or perhaps reliving the injuries of the past has always been a roadblock for me. I spend little time on them these days, but had to realize, first, how paralyzing it was to allow those experiences to remain a part of my sense of myself so many years later. Good riddance! The greatest mistakes I have ever made were not allowing myself to be known. What a shit life! Your vulnerability is a blessing for all who understand the importance of it. Your suffering was a hard read, but your triumph is invigorating. There is nothing wrong with you...there never was!!
"Queer as in, everybody needs to mind their own fucking business and let me figure this out." This is amazing. I have a bit of a confusing story. I came out as bi at 16 but as an adult tried to accept I preferred woman but forced myself (though I did enjoy some of them) into relationships with men. Experiences with women just confirm it for me but I'm such a difficult position, there is one ex, a male, that I have a deep connection with and got back together with then we quite quickly got separated due to him being somewhere else. Now I have to face it, he knew from the start there was a chance I couldn't settle down with a man, but damn it's hard. Sorry I'm rambling I haven't said thus to anyone but one friend.
I love your writing, the authenticity, the honesty, all of it.
I’m so honored you decided to share with me. Your story is safe here in this comment section.
I know what you mean about the confusion and the push and pull to “settle”. .. whatever that means.
I can only thank you. So much for you. And for showing up.
Thank you for having a space that feels safe enough to be open about this 🙏.
Yeah it's definitely a push pull and has been too long, I need to be me.
I can't explain what your words mean to me, it's everything to know someone hears me and zero judgment. Well thank you I so appreciate that but I feel I'm the one who should be thanking you for this.
I really needed to hear those words. Thank you ❤️
Long live the she/theys indeed. Thank you for slashing up authentically
All I got is "that was beautiful. this is my story. I'm so glad you wrote it!" Thank you for sharing this with us and I'm so proud of you for "coming out" on your own terms.
This is such an honor, as I’ve found myself in your work lately as well. Thank you my friend.
Happy Pride! I’ve known since my middle school days (1997-2000), but being in that time and space and still liking boys enough slammed me back in the closet for a very long time. And then my Saturn return happened and then the pandemic made me release my whole story. Every June and honestly every day gets sweeter and easier and better.
Welcome...
Happy Pride, Bethany! Thank you for sharing this. 🏳️🌈💕
Happiest pride my friend. 🏳️🌈 thank you for seeing me
thank you so much for offering this, i’m already deeply enjoying your storytelling ✨
Thank you so much for going on the journey with me. It means so much to me.
I felt so much of this. thank you
I owed you one. Your writing has moved me so often.
Bravo for owning all of yourself and doing so clearly - no ramble involved. I quite enjoyed this. This will certainly free others. Peace to you and evolution for all.
thank you so much, my friend .
Every time I read something you write I feel even more that you are a woman after my own heart! Happy pride & I am proud of you. 🥹
Also wanna add “flourishing under scrutiny” reminds me of June Jordan’s poem “who look at me?”.
Let me run go read that because. You gave me Lucille Clifton and if that isn’t magic idk what is.