No: this is not a review of Jane Austin. It’s a reminder that June First marks the start of Pride Month. I want to celebrate. I want to feel joy for all our lives, lived as ourselves, as we want to live them. And I will, absolutely, feel gratitude for the one I have. And…
Do not forget what is happening the world over. Queer books are being banned. Transgender folks—young and older—are being politically targeted, medically denied, and physically harmed. Anti-homosexual laws are popping up around the globe. There is more that can be done than being out, loud, and proud.
We can be parents allied with justice, safety, and rights for all, and stand up to other parents who would have our children and youth harmed by bullying, banned from sports, and negated by erasing all references to us in books and language.
We can be activists who want more than just our own acceptance into white heteronormative life—who in fact want to work for all Queers to be able to live their lives fully and safely, with opportunity to get a job with sustaining income, have a home, go to a doctor, walk along any street, or read any book, without experiencing undue stress and harm.
We can be human beings to other human beings. Despite the beliefs we may hold dear, we also have the God-given capacity to unconditionally love and experience deep empathy for all living beings. We can be human beings to other human beings—connect with one another and learn who we really are, beyond the labels and names our religions and news channels call us.
(Keep reading past this video…)
Because I love you all and am grateful that you read this substack:
As is customary for me to do in June, I make the Kindle version of my novel, Out, available for free. It only lets me make it free for five days - so if you want to read it, or you want someone else to read it, please grab your copy and/or share between June 1 and June 5. The more the merrier!
And, for those of you getting this in your email inbox: I have a few physical copies of the book, which comes with a map (!), that I would be more than happy to send to you in celebration of Pride Month. Reply to this substack email with your name + mailing address, and if you feel so inclined, drop five bucks in my Venmo (@MHFondakowski) to support shipping (I’ll still send you a copy even if you don’t do this). First come first served until they run out.
—MBF
"We can be human beings to other human beings—connect with one another and learn who we really are, beyond the labels and names our religions and news channels call us." Love that. Hear, hear.