Dear reader/listener, 

Thanks for stopping by this post. 

Here’s a bit about me: 
My name is Elaina,
I have heritage in the Philippines, Spain, and China, but I was born in Vancouver, BC,
I’m trying to understand what it means to come from his/their/herstories of both those who colonized and those who were colonized,
I’m a second generation Canadian, but feel uncomfortable calling myself Canadian,
I write this from the territories of the səl̓ilwətaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsleil-Waututh), S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō), Qayqayt, Stz’uminus, and šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmaɁɬ təməxʷ (Musqueam) people,
I’m working as a co-op student with NSRJ (my role is a community liaison worker), 
I’m a friend, partner, sibling, and child,
I’m a student, community member, volunteer, worker
I speak through music, working out, art, and cooking
I was assigned female at birth (AFAB),
I use they/them pronouns,
I’m trying not to sacrifice my joy for someone else’s comfort while acknowledging we all come from different upbringings/capacities to learn (a nod to Alok Vaid Menon for teaching me this). These things take time and that’s okay. 
I currently identify as non-binary/enby/nb, 
I am not speaking on behalf of all who identify in this way, just speaking from my own experiences.
I love myself for how far I’ve come,
I’m trying my best,
I’m practicing bravery. 

To be completely transparent, I didn’t initially want to write a post about Pride.
Though I’ve only recognized myself as part of the queer community for a short time, I’ve come to notice the pattern of how it’s those from the community that do the most advocacy work, especially around pride month. And my assumption is that it’s this work ON TOP of trying to celebrate and navigate through personal, digital, and communal spaces. Definitely a lot on one’s plate. 

Additionally, why do we acknowledge this community and allyship solely around June, which happens to be pride month? Shouldn’t pride be discussed all year round?

As you can sense, there are many things I’m working through myself as a fellow enby. 

In any case, it felt warming to hear that my colleagues both recognize and welcome these curiosities/criticisms around Pride Month and sole queer-led advocacy. I’m learning with and from them in this position in so many ways. I think they’re learning from me too. It feels mutual. 

Now that you know a little about me, what else could you want to know in this informal letter/reflection/rant/blurb/smush-of-words about Pride? And how does Pride connect to restorative justice?

As much as I’d like to share my own knowledge and experiences on these topics, I want to gift you some creations from people and groups who’ve done some heart-beating, foot-tapping, leg-shaking, head-bopping, body-rolling things in this digital sphere. 

Note that these are not ‘resources’, because to be a resource is to be: “a stock or supply of money, materials, staff, and other assets that can be drawn on by a person or organization in order to function effectively” (Google, 2022). Naming these as resources seems to me like it would be a disservice to those who created and birthed them with all of their lived experiences and struggles to be here for us. What we create is more than just economic value. 

Instead, the links below are some gifts to you from me, arranged by various statements. 
(Credit for this gifting concept came from one of my previous professors, Chris).
I call them gifts because I feel like I’m bearing a piece of my soul to you. 
These gifts have made me cry, groove, smile, facepalm, and want to reach out to others for support. 

Reader/listener, feel free to take your time going through these gifts. Take care of yourself throughout in your own ways. 

I hope you relish in the marinating moments ahead,

Elaina (they/them and hella proud)

 

~~~

A podcast episode that made me tear up, feel like I belong, and helped me realize that upholding trans rights supports EVERYONE:

ALOK: The Urgent Need for Compassion | The Man Enough Podcast

Books that feel like my chosen family:

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz (he/him)
Beyond the Gender Binary Book by Alok Vaid Menon (they/them)
Stay Solid! A Radical Handbook For Youth | Edited by Matt Hern & the Purple Thistle Centre (Gender chapter, but really the entire book)

For the connection between Pride and Restorative/Transformative Justice:

Amplify RJ Podcast Episode: LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Restorative Justice w/ Rami El Gharib
Amplify RJ Podcast Episode: Pod Mapping & Transformative Justice w/ Mia Mingus

A piece that made me realize queerness existed pre-colonization in the Philippines (also made me cry and heart burst):

Queer Mythology in the Philippines

Comedians from various communities: 

Tin Lorica (they/them) IG: selfiemixtape (saw their stand up live with Alok - absolutely hilarious)
Netflix is A Joke Fest: STAND OUT: AN LGBTQ+ CELEBRATION 

A site where I found my current counsellor/therapist who uses they/them pronouns too:

Healing in Colour

A poem and video that introduced me to those who identify as two-spirit: 

The Ascending Circle: A Two-Spirit Poem By Marcy Angeles 
What Does "Two-Spirit" Mean? | InQueery | them.

A news outlet that keeps me updated on all things and people of the queer space:

Them | IG: them ​​

Motion Pictures that had representation in a way that felt seamless (like it was no big deal AND normal):

Steven Universe Created by Rebecca Sugar
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power Created by Noelle Stevenson 
The Half of it Directed by Alice Wu
Love, Simon Directed by Greg Berlanti

Videos that felt like a warm hug and/or good laugh when things felt heavy:

HOW I DEAL W/ GETTING MISGENDERED. || Nonbinary Tips
The Pronoun Song - Boomer Stoop (explicit)
They/Them (Non-binary Short Film)
I'm Gay - Eugene Lee Yang
Old Gays Read Their YouTube Comments (explicit)
I spent a day with NON-BINARY PEOPLE  (explicit)
Toilets, bowties, gender and me | Audrey Mason-Hyde | TEDxAdelaide  

Savory sounds (music) by artists from the community and/or about the community: 

Jungle by Tash Sultana
they/them by atlas, jhfly (explicit) 
Here comes a thought (feat. Estelle & AJ Michalka) from Steven Universe
Be Wherever You Are (feat. Zach Callison) from Steven Universe
Love Like You (feat. Rebecca Sugar) - End Credits from Steven Universe
My Girlfriends Are My Boyfriends (feat. Saweetie) by Demi Lovato (explicit)

Find yourself wanting more? Do a search and see what other gifts you can find <3