Sometimes being a queer person means I must persevere. 💪🏼🏳️🌈
Sometimes it means being stubbornly brave, radically open and audaciously hopeful. It’s not always easy, but I feel called to be in this space, doing this work. ✨
Having events like this is when I remember why.
“Embrace Your Rainbow: Queer Storytime Adventures” was canceled last May due to protests, and my eyes were opened to the controversy that is being a queer kids book author and artist.
Without my partner (in queer events) Teri, I don’t think this event would have happened. But we would not give up on this one!! We both deeply believe in creating safe & joyful spaces for queer people and their families in this community, and that’s what this event was all about.
I want to sincerely thank Teri, Elizabeth (look at that rainbow balloon wall! 👏), the team at United Way, Julie and the Sardis Library staff and Kenny at the Owl and Cat Bookery. This wouldn’t have happened without you all! Thank you to my friends and everyone who came out to show support! 🙏🏳️🌈🥰
I truly felt like our community came together to ensure this was a space filled with queer joy, safety, art and of course rainbows!
Gosh I feel deeply grateful to do what I do. To show up and be present and share my heart. I know how important (and challenging) it is to be a visibly queer artist in the world today, doing advocacy work.
This is just the beginning for me.
I will keep writing, speaking and sharing because I know it matters, and it makes a difference. I’m so glad I had the chance to do it in my own community too! 🥳❤️🩹🏳️🌈🙏💪🏼
STACEY CHOMIAK 