I buried one of my brothers this weekend. My mother only had one child, but her sister had two who she would rent out to the family. So, he is technically my cousin, though if I could cobble together the human and spiritual idea of what I believe a brother was and should be, this man was it. He grew up with me, got in trouble with me (Your Honor, I maintain that it was mostly him getting me in trouble, but I accept my role as an accomplice), and protected me in the very same way an older sibling should.

Laws like Florida's Don't Say Gay Bill or Alabama's copy cat attempt to introduce legislation that is literally its version of "Wait, hold my beer" where it one-ups Florida in an attempt to outlaw and criminalize gender affirming medications for trans kids are very similar tactics that are and were used to chip away at the protections of Roe V Wade. Many do not get passed, but enough do to have negative long term consequences. Additionally, it creates an environment of constant attacks on LGBTQ+ folks and Allies. We operate from a place of scarcity and defensive tactics and it is EXHAUSTING. It makes it hard to continue to rally, to fight, to exist.