Hello my RPYA family,
I am horrified by the events at Club Q in Colorado Springs this past weekend and the ongoing bigotry & hatred being spewed towards our LGBTQ2S communities. I have many thoughts but I wanted to check in with you first to let you know that we will be vigilant in ensuring that RPYA continues being a safe & brave space for our staff and youth. We will not be silenced or shamed into hiding or quiet our resolve to stand firm for young people. We lift up our murdered and wounded siblings in Colorado. We remember the faces and names of our trans siblings all over the globe whose light was dimmed due to hate violence on this 2022 Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR). Last week was Trans Awareness Week (Nov 13-19) which led up to the TDOR (Nov 20). Trans Awareness Week increases visibility and urges us to address issues such as discrimination, prejudice, and acts of violence against members of the transgender community. In addition, the week focuses on uplifting the voices, experiences, and successes of the trans and gender-diverse communities.
Also last week we were ecstatic to partner with The Children’s Partnership & the CA-PIF, Outreach & Communications Workgroup to bring you The ABCs of Immigrant Health for Queer and Trans Immigrants, a presentation that provided an overview of the US healthcare system so that participants gain the tools & knowledge necessary to understand and navigate it efficiently. This is especially important in The Inland Empire, as our region has one of the largest LGBTQIA+ immigrant populations in the country.
This week is a time with mixed feelings for many. For some, it is a celebratory time of Thanksgiving. For others, it is a National Day of Mourning the injustices against indigenous communities by colonialism. For many of us, it is both. This year I am thankful that we live in a state that has declared itself a sanctuary for gender-diverse youth and their families to live and thrive. However, we also recognize that we live and operate on stolen land, we honor the 13 tribes that still live in this region today, and we mourn the tribes and people that did not survive the colonization of this area.
In honor of this time, we held a QueersGiving social event for youth, and a service project in partnership with Casa Ramona Senior Complex over the weekend where we delivered COVID CARE packages including PPE, test kits, and a $25 gift card.
Lastly, I’d like to share with you a poem I came across last week by Tahlia Hunter.
Be like the trees
And shed and release what no longer belongs in your life
In order to make space for the new
Be like the autumn leaves
And let go softly and gently without attachment
Floating gently in the breeze
Be like the rivers
And flow freely through life without resistance
Be like the sun
And shine amongst darkness
Be like the plants
And regrow and regenerate following the storms and shifting seasons of life
Be like the wind
And let yourself be both gentle and fierce when required
Be like the mountains
And remain solid, strong
And not easily shaken
And be like the flowers
And blossom confidently, embracing your uniqueness.
– Tahlia Hunter
Sincerely, Benita Ramsey Executive Director, RPYA
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