Thank you.

“You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, who had ever been alive.”

James Baldwin

There are so many people who continue to teach me, rescue me, be gracious with me, hold me, correct me and lead me on this messy, collective healing journey. The gratitude cannot sufficiently be wrapped into black & white letters, but alas...

First, thank you to this Earth that has held me, healed me & nourished me every day of my existence.  I live & love on the land of the Paugusett, Wappinger and Quinnipiac peoples who are indigenous to the area colonized as CT. However, I was raised in the south on the land of the Cherokee nation. 

You can find more about  the folx who are indigenous to that land you're on and how you can actively be a part of building a better future by visiting the Native Land Digital Map and supporting Land Back efforts globally.

I am a student of so many queer, Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) who have been doing this work for decades before my body was even able to acknowledge its truths. These are the folks I owe much gratitude to for my own growth, liberation and education; who have helped myself and so many others come to know truth more fully, listed below in no particular order. Social media handles included if applicable.

Beyond Diversity 101, The People's Institute for Survival and Beyond, Niyonu  Spann, James Baldwin, Nina Simone, Audre Lorde, Bell Hooks, Christopher Marmolejo,  Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., Yaa Gyasi, Jenan Matari (@jenanmatari), Alida Nugent, Pema Chodron, Yaffa (@yaffasutopia), Adrienne Maree Brown (@adriennemareebrown), Tarana J. Burke (@taranajaneen) Bryan Stevenson, Asha Bandele (@ashabandele713), Rebecca Solnit, Roxane Gay (@roxanegay74), Imani Barbarin (@crutches_and_spice), Tommy Orange, Abigail Rose Clarke (@abigail.rose.clarke),  Jessamyn (@mynameisjessamyn), Patrisse Khan-Cullors (@osopepatrisse), Ta-Nehisi Coates (@tanehisis.coatess), Amanda Seales (@amandaseales), Michelle Alexander, Don Miguel Ruiz (@donmiguelruiz), Austin Channing Brown (@austinchanning), Reni Eddo-Lodge (@renieddolodge), Carol Anderson, Robin DiAngelo (@diangelorobin), Richard Wright, Barbara Ehrenreich, Deirdre English, Leesa Renee Hall (@leesareneehall), Layla F. Saad (@laylafsaad), Rachel Cargle (@rachel.cargle), Sassy (@sassy_latte), Desiree Adaway (@desireeadaway), Ijeoma Oluo (@ijeomaoluo), Ibram X. Kendi (@ibramxk), John Biewen, Chenjerai Kumanyika (@chenjerai), Ericka Hart (@ihartericka), Shi Shi Rose (@shishi.rose), Rachel Ricketts (@iamrachelricketts), Brittany Packnett (@mspackyetti), Shay Neary (@watchshayslay),  Gxiana McQueen (@gxianabianca), Anna O'Brien (@glitterandlazers), Mark Kanemura (@mkik808), Andrea Ranae (@andrearanaej), Aaron Rose (@aaronxrose), Adriana Trenta (@adrianatrenta), ALOK (@alokvmenon), Travis (@travislabanza), Chani Nicholas (@chaninicholas), Rupi Kaur (@rupikaur_), Luvvie Ajayi (@luvvie), Harnaam Kaur (@harnaamkaur) Eleanor Wheeler (@elliewheels), Sonalee R (@thefatsextherapist), Khushi Malholtra (@khushface), Jasmine Rice LaBeija (@jasminericenyc), Allen (@lilnativeboy), Imogen Fox (@the_feeding_of_the_fox), alexandra elle (@alex_elle), Troy Solomon (@abearnamedtroy), Linda Sarsour (@lsarsour), Tamika Mallory (@tamikadmallory), Liz Plank (@feministabulous)

This list is not exhaustive & excludes many other friends, teachers & earthly family who circle around me daily to carry me forward. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.