PRIDE AND THE GEMINI/CANCER CUSP
Happy PRIDE friends!
As a queer artist who grew up in a VERY conservative part of the United States, this time of year is both exciting, validating, and also brings up a ton of memories about all the ways I wasn’t able to be myself while growing up. (That’s a whole different story…) I’m giving some great ways to support your local 2SLGBTQIA+ community below but wanted to chat about this period Astrologically first. Cause…duh. That’s what I’m here for.
It is not lost on me that Pride season (the month of June) overlaps with both Gemini and Cancer. Gemini energy brings the fast talking, quick wit, ability to jump into any project and make a friend, fast mood shift, fun-loving vibes that could be associated with so many of the queer “best friend” trope that for so long was the only representation we had in TV and film. I love the people in my life who have this somewhere prominent in their chart. I trust their truth (sometimes it comes in a little harsh but my triple Scorpio is obsessed with their bluntness), I love their sense of fun and humor, and I admire their ability to mask up and put up a facade when needed (some call this lying- but anyone who grew up queer in an unsafe environment knows the value of blending in). The last half of June we greet Cancer- moody, motherly, care-taking and reliable, but also sometimes sliding sideways out of confrontation. As an ever evolving queer community, I feel like the Cancer side of PRIDE is in how we take care of each other. The deep wounds & trauma we hold onto personally and as a community (anti-trans bills are currently circulating in FAR TOO MANY local jurisdictions) need the shoulder to lean on, cry to, and talk over that so many Cancer placements are brilliant at.
This swirl of fun, loud, chatty and also care-taking, listening, deeply feeling is exactly what PRIDE season always feels like. This duality is so important for all of us to explore. We can both mourn and celebrate- we all lost and gained this past year. We can both uplift and support underrepresented voices while also fighting to get rid of political policies that want to continue to disenfranchise. We can laugh and dance, and also hold space for prayer and contemplation.
I hope you are finding ways for all of this in the wild transition time we are in. Below I’m listing some ways to support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community (tho I suspect many of you are already doing many of these!)
LIST YOUR PRONOUNS. This one is mainly for my cisgendered friends. Add them to your email signature, make them visible on social media (Instagram now has a specific place to insert your pronouns so they display next to your name!), and include them on your zoom call name. Normalizing this practice alleviates the pressure for those falling outside the patriarchal binary to have to voice their identity and allows for all of us to show up and be addressed in the way we feel the most whole. As a cisgendered person, sharing your pronouns shows those who may not be comfortable stating their pronouns in public that you are safe.
CHECK ON LOCAL 2SLGBTQIA+ LEGISLATION. There are over 100 Anti-Trans bills making their way through state houses across the U.S. Take a look at those happening in your state- can you call a local Senator or Representative and show your support for the bills that call for equality and work to eradicate discrimination? Can you let them know you DO NOT support the bills that are asking to continue anti-Trans legislation? This website has some great templates and ways to contact senators, as well as several petitions you can sign now. This website allows to track exactly which bills are in what process in your local/state houses.
DONATE TO MUTUAL AID THAT SUPPORTS THE TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY. Find local mutual aid that is directly supporting those who need it in your community. More specifically, look for mutual aid that benefits Black Trans folks and Trans folks of color as they are usually the most underserved and un-resourced. Even a small donation can do a lot (especially when you tell your friends where they can send some $$ too!)
BE MINDFUL OF YOUR OWN LANGUAGE. I remember when I was younger hearing “that’s gay” about things people didn’t like- pretty damaging to a young gay kid to hear everyday. Are you using language that is both inclusive and also closer to what you actually want to say? I find the things I’d call “gay” now are usually things that are beautiful, well crafted, shiny, fun, enjoyable for all…not at all the way it was used socially only a few years ago.
CALL OUT TRANSPHOBIA AND HOMOPHOBIA WHEN YOU SEE IT. This one is sometimes the hardest because it can mean calling in people you may interact with everyday. But let’s be honest- if a “joke” is sexist, homophobic, racist, transphobic, misogynistic, and/or classist- it’s not funny. It’s just sexist, homophobic, racist, transphobic, misogynistic, and/or classist.
EDUCATE YOURSELF ON WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW. There are a ton of incredible people who have made it their mission (and business) to educate about the needs of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and how to make life more equitable for all of us. (A few of them I've had the pleasure of reading for and their gifts are even baked into their Human Design!) I've learned about my own biases through experts like this one and am constantly looking to diversify the voices I can hear from and gain knowledge from in the entire queer spectrum.
DIVERSIFY YOUR FEED! Follow queer creators (AND PAY THEM). Find some books about the queer experience. Even listening to podcasts by queer individuals can help bring more awareness and empathy especially if you are an ally living in an area that seemingly feels very cisgendered and heterosexual.
Ok! That’s all for now! As always, I love to hear your thoughts and feels about any of this. DM me, respond to this email, or let’s discuss in your next Human Design session (if you’re ready to keep learning more about your personal life map!)
LOVE is LOVE is LOVE is LOVE is LOVE.
