What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1263710
Activist Wendy Love Edge meditates on the state of the world… While there is some grief I feel for the loss of how life was prior to the pandemic, and a longing for in-person connections with community, I also feel that life before the pandemic wasn't working well for most people. Many had little time for home and family, and were working several jobs to make ends meet. Living stressed and exhausted. The pause, I'm hoping, will be a reset in many ways. The civil unrest, which may cause fear in some, is really necessary to create real and lasting change in our country. It's necessary so that America can work for all people. This energizes me! It's exciting to see so many Americans standing tall, risking themselves in such a profound way, and speaking up for change and equality for everyone to be equal and free. Because, until Black lives matter, all lives do not matter. This energy of change and hope for the future has helped me to dispel some of the fear and grief that I have felt. That, and lots of cannabis medicine, other natural herbs, meditation, and deep breathing. …but also points to at-risk youth as one of her main worries during this time: I've been very concerned particularly about LGBTQ+ youth who may live in homes where they are not accepted and/or abused by their own families. I think it's important that we reach out to each other and ask questions about our community members who may need support. And then act where needed. I have personally found support in our community through personal networks, phone calls, email groups and social media connections. For this I feel very fortunate. As that is true for me, I know it is not true for everyone. This is why it's so important that we all reach out to others in the community that we know of, and not assume that someone else did it. Isolation can occur easily for some LGBTQ+ community members. Let's ensure as a community that isn't the norm. 38 WHAT'S UP! JUNE 28-JULY 4, 2020 Tanner Pittman, (left) soon-to-be-married dog- and cat-dad, and account lead at Outdoor Cap Company, and fiancé Joseph Farmer Activist Wendy Love Edge COVER STORY Pride Continued From Page 10 Shiloh Kaminski (they/them), dog parent and wellness advocate When Shiloh Kaminski (they/ them), dog parent and wellness advocate, couldn't find the resources in Northwest Arkansas that provided enough support, they took advantage of technology in building and maintaining their own community: I'm lucky that as a former resident of Chicago, Ill., I have connections via online meetings with a group for AFAB (assigned female at birth) Trans* and gender non-conforming individuals through the Center on Halsted. These meetings a few times a month on Zoom have been a life- giving connection during a time where local connections and resources here in NWA aren't as accessible to me. Plus, a little therapy never hurts!: Therapy! I'm thankful to have a safe space to process the grief of covid-19 social isolation, and to process my privileges and experiences during this time of social unrest. (* = all-inclusive) Tanner Pittman, soon-to-be-married dog- and cat-dad, and account lead at Outdoor Cap Company, shares where he has found support and comfort during these turbulent times: I learned several years back that the best way to cope with my own anxiety and unease is to help others. Reaching out to others, and being available to talk when others need to talk, has helped me to not focus on my own feelings of unease. My fiancé Joseph Farmer and I joined First United Methodist Church in downtown Rogers in October 2019. The associate pastor, Ron Hayes, has an outreach program called Pub Theology. Because of covid, we weren't able to meet in person, but we have been able to have Zoom meetings, where we are able to freely and openly discuss our feelings, and learn from others ways they have combated similar feelings. Leaning on our church body, and our friends, has helped me to put a name to what I'm feeling and experiencing, and learn new tools to combat those feelings. And he touches on the needs of the NWA LGBTQ community right now: Less divisiveness and dissension. There are so many people in this world who hate us SIMPLY for the fact that we love differently than what they perceive or believe is "right." Instead of fighting within our community, we need to be building each other up and rallying and supporting one another. We don't have to be best friends with everyone, but we need to support each other. Who better to understand the plight each of us experiences than someone who has been through it, and survived? Instead of spreading rumors, let's spread experience, strength and hope with one another. Let's spread love. And start that love with ourselves. As RuPaul says, "If you can't love yourself, how in the hell you going to love somebody else?! Can I get an AMEN?!" AMEN, RuPaul!