Sikiliza

For many women-identifying queer-folk, finding and folding in queer spaces is so emancipating. These are spaces to finally breathe, free from constant hostile heterosexist gaze and oppressiveness. In spaces like this love is radical and nurturing and fostered deliberately to undo tightly woven misogynistic arrays – It is women loving other women as a political act. These spaces quickly become a vital life-link for so many who have are broken and battled with rejection, isolation, prejudice, violence and shaming our bodies, identities of non-normative-ness. Queer spaces especially those embracing feminist ideals are viewed as sacred, intense and revolutionary.   More importantly, these spaces are considered safe. Queer spaces morph into our chosen family, our tribe and the place we metamorphose into a validated, transformed, empowered version of ourselves. Sadly, not all queer spaces are safe. Sometimes queer spaces end up replicating the same toxic oppressions...

self-portrait, 2017 My kind of people are KIND; While there are people I have love or links to, I am neither drawn nor like them much because they lack a certain something in their fabric that I will call tenderness or compassion. Kindliness or lack or it thereof seeps into every aspect of our lives. It is reflected in what we think, do and say with and to others. This realization for me was a huge epiphany in 2017.  As I start my 40th year in 2018, I aim to be more discerning and hope to practice more mindfulness. But I also want to declare out loud that my chosen family, my tribe and my people are those infused with KINDNESS.  My tribe are those who do not let the cold cruel world eat into the goodness their souls has stored up. Those who see and wish greatness in others. Those who are conscious of the consequences of their thoughts and actions on others. Those who think more than just about themselves. Those who do not let insecurity and hurt consume their tend...