As a Queer Person, I’m Doing THIS in the Aftermath of the U.S. Election

Americans Living with Election Grief: Courage from Us Older Queer Folks!

Please listen to us. We’ve been here. We have skills to offer.

Images licensed from Adobe Stock

Like many Americans, I woke this morning with grief and fear weighing down my chest. I barely slept after overnight election returns. I didn’t know how to process, but I knew I had work to do — for my queer family and for any loving American frightened over the fascism overtaking our nation.

It turns out my cat Elsa was weighing down my chest as much as my fear.

I was delighted she was with me, because my new kitten Waldo (asleep between my feet) has turned her into an anxious mess. Waldo has made Elsa afraid to sleep with me, but this morning she was purring and rubbing her cheeks against my nose.

I needed that as I remembered Miss Jenny, my New York City tabby who did her best to comfort me as my closest friends died of AIDS, and as my husband passed to his premature end. I needed that reminder! I needed to remember that life and love go on.

Let’s face our grief together, then look at where we go from here.