Happy National Coming Out Day!

People have been coming out for ages but in 1987, half a million people came out all at once to march in Washington DC for issues like legal recognition of our relationships, the repeal of sodomy laws, a federal ban on discrimination, passage of a gay and lesbian civil rights bill, reproductive freedom, an end to HIV/AIDS discrimination, and an end to racism. The following year October 11 became recognized and celebrated to be National Coming Out Day.  Coming out is not only a statement to the world but ultimately to yourself that you can be in the world as who you are and be okay.  Granted it is not always safe, thats real but hopefully one day as those who can, will and be visible for those of us who are in the process of joining us.  Thank you to ALL those before us that came out, were visible and made it easier for the rest of us to be who we truly are and love proudly who we love.  

In Solidarity and with Love,
LesbeAsian Pho Lyfe!

A LITANY FOR SURVIVAL
For those of us who live at the shoreline
standing upon the constant edges of decision
crucial and alone
for those of us who cannot indulge
the passing dreams of choice
who love in doorways coming and going
in the hours between dawns
looking inward and outward
at once before and after
seeking a now that can breed
futures
like bread in our children's mouths
so their dreams will not reflect
the death of ours:
For those of us
who were imprinted with fear
like a faint line in the center of our foreheads
learning to be afraid with our mother's milk
for by this weapon
this illusion of some safety to be found
the heavy-footed hoped to silence us
For all of us
this instant and this triumph
We were never meant to survive.
And when the sun rises we are afraid
it might not remain
when the sun sets we are afraid
it might not rise in the morning
when our stomachs are full we are afraid
of indigestion
when our stomachs are empty we are afraid
we may never eat again
when we are loved we are afraid
love will vanish
when we are alone we are afraid
love will never return
and when we speak we are afraid
our words will not be heard
nor welcomed
but when we are silent
we are still afraid
So it is better to speak
remembering
we were never meant to survive

- Audre Lorde, The Black Unicorn