Join my fun & free 30-day Pride Month Creativity Challenge to explore voice, identity, and belonging—together. Featuring art, poetry, and LGBTQ+ literature rooted in queer expression and subculture on Substack.
How have I missed this? I had no idea this was happening Jay, probably because I've switched off email notifications because I subscribe to eleventy million Substacks 🫣 What a beautiful offering!
Lisa, it is never ever to later to enter. Start today (with whatever prompt of the last 17 days spoke to you) and I'll gladly cheer you on. Everyone sharing and notifying me about it, will receive an answer and a share. Promised.
I strongly sense I may be posting this response to the TOUCH prompt for this week in the wrong place, but perhaps not, and I trust Jay to let me know!! :) Touch
Touch
I thought I’d be writing about my relationship about my very long-distance relationship with my partner of 19 years but in this, I am pondering my mom.
In my childhood-the touch was confusing
It was there
And felt good
On occasion
Deeply so
But would dissipate
The trust
(required for me)
In my sensitive response to the way the humans related
Picking up
From a very young age
on what seemed to be the inauthenticity
Of people not expressing what they were really feeling
Made me cautious and a little uneasy
With the touch that was given too soon
Following a break in the trust.
To me, I felt that touch was this sacred gift that could be given and received
Only in the presence of truth and trust and safety--complete and unwavering
(Not much room for humanity)
My own
Others
To hug and hold and caress and be caress and hugged and held
This started very very early in my life
Today
In my 60s
I live and help care
For my almost 90 year old mom
Whose long hugs
On and off
Throughout the day
In places around her home
As if it’s the first time she’s seeing me in weeks
Dawn, I commented on this elsewhere, yet wherever you post it is fine. The only thing I asked is tagging me in some way. I truly cherish your contribution to #PrideOnThePage. This poem is such a powerful message to touch.
Cassandra, what you’ve done isn’t just bold—it’s intentional. You didn’t dim when others were told to disappear. You amplified. Not for show, for truth.
This isn’t about sparkle for sparkle’s sake. It’s about showing up fully—blue hair, fierce joy, sharp wit—and refusing to be anything less than yourself. That kind of presence reshapes a room. It reminds people what’s possible.
You didn’t pivot to perform. You pivoted to become. And it shows.
Another part of my story is that I worked in Healthcare for 10 years, as a Nurse and in community home care with our Elders.
I have advocated for myself and others all my life, and in my roles at work that was Most Obvious: I spoke up often to management about the rights for myself, my residents, and my international co- workers, who do not understand our labour laws.
I made management roll their eyes and tell me twice that I cared “ too much”
I got so frustrated years ago I left, swearing high and low I’d never go back.
But I did. I thought in 10 years some things would have improved.
They did not.
I have now left healthcare, as I am done looking after humans in a system that is flawed.
Cassandra, I could feel your whole spirit dancing through your words—joyfully, unapologetically, unmistakably you. What a gift to witness that kind of radiant presence, that playful power you carry with every glitter-threaded gesture. 💫
Reading your comment, I smiled too—because it’s not just what you wear or how you sparkle (though I adore both). It’s the way you choose joy as a language. How you move through the world with kindness as a practice, not a performance. That kind of love? It’s magnetic. It multiplies.
Thank you for bringing your full self here. For showing what love looks like when it’s lived.
How have I missed this? I had no idea this was happening Jay, probably because I've switched off email notifications because I subscribe to eleventy million Substacks 🫣 What a beautiful offering!
Lisa, it is never ever to later to enter. Start today (with whatever prompt of the last 17 days spoke to you) and I'll gladly cheer you on. Everyone sharing and notifying me about it, will receive an answer and a share. Promised.
I will! 💙
Looking forward to it, Lisa. Great to have you on board.
I strongly sense I may be posting this response to the TOUCH prompt for this week in the wrong place, but perhaps not, and I trust Jay to let me know!! :) Touch
Touch
I thought I’d be writing about my relationship about my very long-distance relationship with my partner of 19 years but in this, I am pondering my mom.
In my childhood-the touch was confusing
It was there
And felt good
On occasion
Deeply so
But would dissipate
The trust
(required for me)
In my sensitive response to the way the humans related
Picking up
From a very young age
on what seemed to be the inauthenticity
Of people not expressing what they were really feeling
Made me cautious and a little uneasy
With the touch that was given too soon
Following a break in the trust.
To me, I felt that touch was this sacred gift that could be given and received
Only in the presence of truth and trust and safety--complete and unwavering
(Not much room for humanity)
My own
Others
To hug and hold and caress and be caress and hugged and held
This started very very early in my life
Today
In my 60s
I live and help care
For my almost 90 year old mom
Whose long hugs
On and off
Throughout the day
In places around her home
As if it’s the first time she’s seeing me in weeks
Hugs
That come with a warm smile on her face
envelop me
In the perfect embrace
With
Acceptance
Healing
Safety
Trust
Delight
Warmth
Delight
I think we must have been close
In those early months
of Life
Perhaps created a distance for a time
But the distance is gone
I am here
In the presence of what may always existed
A deep love
Such a sweet touch
That of a mother who loves her child
Who always loved her child
Who has carried the love for all of her children
And that of a daughter who recognizes
The gift of this love
And can receive it
With such a grateful heart
Without question
Without expectation
A touch that allows me to feel her essence
And her heart.
Dawn, I commented on this elsewhere, yet wherever you post it is fine. The only thing I asked is tagging me in some way. I truly cherish your contribution to #PrideOnThePage. This poem is such a powerful message to touch.
I’ll figure out how to tag and then will go back and edit this afternoon. Thanks Jay!
No no no, no editing needed. If you ever would like to share another one make sure to add my handle @jaygermany
Okay. Thanks Jay.
Oh, this one makes me smile Bigly 🥰🤭🇨🇦
I Am Canadian, and all my life I have treated others with respect, dignity and kindness. ❤️🇨🇦❤️
In all my interactions with other humans- ALL other humans, I show humour, laughter and Joy.
I literally pass it on. Always.
Those who are as I am know this feeling:
It’s WONDERFUL! 🥰🙌🤭🫂❤️
I get my bad ass self all dolled up, put on my Statement Tshirts, and do my Awesome, Sparkling Thing! 💫🧚♀️🕊️🏳️🌈🦋🇨🇦
Yesterday was my Barbie Tshirt, my fun sparkly bling, and my blue hair in a mini Mohawk 😉💋🌶️
I show LOVE 💕 and I get it back 🥰🙌🕊️🤭
Thank you! 🙏🥰💃🕊️💫
The number of times that random people have complimented my vibe makes me smile just thinking about it.
I have always been outgoing and love to make people laugh…
But in the past 6 months I have done a personal pivot:
The more that humans in other countries are told to be beige and boring and quiet…
I got Brighter.
I cut my long hair off, shaved my head, and coloured the rest Blue.
We are All Unique. I spent too many years in my youth trying to blend in…
When I am made to Stand Out.
The more interactions I have, the more Joy I spread 🏳️🌈💃💫😉💋🇨🇦
Spreading joy is amazing, the world needs more joy.
Cassandra, what you’ve done isn’t just bold—it’s intentional. You didn’t dim when others were told to disappear. You amplified. Not for show, for truth.
This isn’t about sparkle for sparkle’s sake. It’s about showing up fully—blue hair, fierce joy, sharp wit—and refusing to be anything less than yourself. That kind of presence reshapes a room. It reminds people what’s possible.
You didn’t pivot to perform. You pivoted to become. And it shows.
Glad to be walking beside you.
Thank you 🥰🫂❤️🏳️🌈🇨🇦
Thank you so much! It is my Honour 🥰💃
I grew up here. ❤️🇨🇦❤️I always felt safe here… other than men.
I never had any issues with any other group. Just men. White men mostly.
I am 🏳️🌈🦋💕 and I blended in. No one knew my secret, unless I told them.
When I saw the increase in shitty actions towards LGTBQ+ I cried.
Then I acted.
The more they try to suppress individuality, the more I want it known that It is ME 💕🏳️🌈🫂
You are amazing, you acted on small minded people who insulted and abused all you stood for.
I think you are an Amazon.
You were never meant to be beige, or ordinary.
The authentic, blue-haired you is fierce, and strong.
So strong.
Thank you for fighting the good fight.
I was thinking about your words and smiled 😁❤️
Another part of my story is that I worked in Healthcare for 10 years, as a Nurse and in community home care with our Elders.
I have advocated for myself and others all my life, and in my roles at work that was Most Obvious: I spoke up often to management about the rights for myself, my residents, and my international co- workers, who do not understand our labour laws.
I made management roll their eyes and tell me twice that I cared “ too much”
I got so frustrated years ago I left, swearing high and low I’d never go back.
But I did. I thought in 10 years some things would have improved.
They did not.
I have now left healthcare, as I am done looking after humans in a system that is flawed.
Animals are my new focus. ❤️🇨🇦
Cassandra, I could feel your whole spirit dancing through your words—joyfully, unapologetically, unmistakably you. What a gift to witness that kind of radiant presence, that playful power you carry with every glitter-threaded gesture. 💫
Reading your comment, I smiled too—because it’s not just what you wear or how you sparkle (though I adore both). It’s the way you choose joy as a language. How you move through the world with kindness as a practice, not a performance. That kind of love? It’s magnetic. It multiplies.
Thank you for bringing your full self here. For showing what love looks like when it’s lived.
It is wonderful. And so are you. 💖🇨🇦🦋
Smiling bigly, how I like that.
Thank you Therese
You are always welcome.