We all have to live our lives. Just the last few years have been a roller coaster. Presidential elections, a global increase in far right populism, a pandemic, a huge land war in Europe, and a shaky economy. If you think about all this stuff regularly, it’s going to be impossible to find joy in your everyday life. I try to live everyday the best I can. And that everything I do is an act of resistance. I do believe that the bigotry we are seeing now will eventually pass. Canada is a pretty cool place to be right now. Be thankful you are in a pretty safe spot compared to others and try to live your life. A happy queer makes the bigots lose it.

Your Feelings are Valid!

Even though I live in a relatively safe US state (Connecticut) I can’t help but to feel everything that is happening to us around the world. I don’t live in the south, but I feel the fear of every queer person living in the south. My wife and I get looks and stares sometimes, but we try to stare right back and wave until they have to break contact. My biggest fear is a Karen going crazy on me in a public bathroom and accusing me of being a groomer or a pedophile.

It’s incredibly painful to think that I couldn’t be a teacher anymore in the states that we used to live in - Florida and Missouri. I think the helplessness is the hardest part. I feel powerless to change any of the things that are happening.

I hope Canada isn’t as bad as you are saying it is. We have planned to get up to Canada through Vermont or New York if things go badly in the '24 election. Should my wife and I change our escape plans?