Family Issues

How do you protect your family from your writing, and your writing from your family? The queens get serious about grief, death, homophobia, and family issues. Dear Dr. Freud!

First, some resources:
If you're struggling with LGBTQIA+ mental health issues (or want to be an ally for someone who is), visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness website here. It has great resources!

Another great resource list for queer and trans BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) can be found here.

The Atlantic published an informative essay regarding family estrangement. You can read that here.

If you are grieving a loss, GriefShare can provide some resources and support (including finding others who are going through approximate experiences).

If you want to be an ally for LGBTQIA+ individuals, try:

PFLAG (parents/friends)
GLSEN (educators)
Straight for Equality has some great workplace tips.
them's Trans Voices series on YouTube
This article shares 10 ways to be an ally to Black LGBT people

Show references:

Aaron's essay, "The Very Act of Telling: Sharon Olds and Writing Narrative Poetry" can be found online here. In it, Aaron writes: "Recently I saw a news article about a politician in Alabama who is introducing a bill to the legislature with the hopes of removing all public funding from libraries and universities that have books with gay or bisexual characters in them or that promote homosexuality as a valid lifestyle. My first thought was: This is absurd. Just because we aren’t talked about doesn’t mean that we don’t exist. Then it occurred to me: If we aren’t talked about, do we really exist?"

The correct title of the Lisa Glatt book we reference is Monsters and Other Lovers.

James's poem "Pittsburgh" can be found here.

Aaron's poem "God Is Not Mocked" can be found here (scroll down) and the poem which his sister denies is true is here.

The new book/manuscript of Aaron's that is discussed hast not been published.

Please consider purchasing books through an independent bookstore. If you need a good one, we recommend Loyalty Books, a black-owned bookstore in Washington, DC that ships everywhere.