Published inThe Word Artist·PinnedMember-onlyYes, I Am Still a ChristianI am a disciple of Christ — It seems the voices around me are growing ever louder. From the one side, it’s “You can’t be LGBTQ+ and a Christian! Pride is a sin!” From the other side, it’s “Why would you want to associate yourself with a group that has caused so much pain and suffering? …Essay3 min readEssay3 min read
Published inThe Word Artist·Sep 20Member-onlyWhen September Ends — a poem of loss and griefAn English Sonnet for my mother-in-law, whose husband died September 17, 2023 — She begs him to wake up and run away. She wants to carry him away from here. Where is the rain? The sun is bright today. Where are the clouds? The sky is blue and clear. They promised to be true ’til death do part. He breathed his last breath while…Poetry1 min readPoetry1 min read
Published inThe Word Artist·Sep 15Member-onlyPaint a Story — a poem about artA Villonnet inspired by Shakespeare’s Sonnet XXIV — I lay out words upon my mind’s palette, I mix the colours, sketch each sentence out, Until the picture emulates my heart. I make a rainbow from the alphabet. Everything that I have heard and read Is turned into a colour on my brush I draw upon my history, my heart, And lay…Poetry2 min readPoetry2 min read
Published inPrism & Pen·Sep 15Member-onlyIn the Face of Death and Canadian Anti-LGBTQ+ Bigotry, I Feel So HelplessWhat Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger? — Death My father-in-law is dying. He has been dying for several years now — or, at least, we have known he is dying for several years now — since he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Everyone dies. When we are born on this earth in a mortal body, the clock starts…LGBTQ4 min readLGBTQ4 min read
Published inThe Word Artist·Sep 8Member-onlyTo Hear With Eyes and See By Heart (a poem about writing poetry)A Trilonnet inspired by Shakespeare’s Sonnet XXIII — Fine words have always been my art, The paint and clay with which I write, But when I try to be devout, To hear with eyes and see by heart, And read without the aid of light, The verse that love has written out, It falls apart each time I start, Upset by burden of love’s might And…Poet2 min readPoet2 min read
Published inThe Word Artist·Sep 6Member-onlyHold My Heart — a love poemA Lannet inspired by Shakespeare’s Sonnet XXII — My heart’s apparel is not elegant; I need no jewels or silk or satin thread, No smart array of finery or dress. When Time’s own cruel hand has carved my face, And daubed with grey my crown of ruddy gold, When I face Death and look into his eyes, How can I then…Poetry2 min readPoetry2 min read
Published inPrism & Pen·Sep 1Member-onlyIntolerance Toward LGBTQ+ People is Shameful — Canadian Prime MinisterThe so-called “culture war” has spilled over the border from the United States and infected Canada — It was supposed to get better “It was supposed to get better,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the attendees at Edmonton’s 2023 Pride Festival, his voice rough with emotion. “We were supposed to start waving that flag on Parliament Hill and not look back.” Trudeau is a powerful ally for Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ people. He has…LGBTQ3 min readLGBTQ3 min read
Published inThe Word Artist·Aug 31Member-onlyNo Painted Beauty — a love poemA La’libertas inspired by Shakespeare’s Sonnet XXI — Your eyes are not like stars so bright, Your lips are not like flower sprays, And yet, your kisses make me dazed; When I am with you, all feels right. I could write About your hands, About your gentle soul: No painted beauty, No rich gems, But only love. There…Poetry1 min readPoetry1 min read
Published inPrism & Pen·Aug 30Member-onlyWhat is ‘Biblical Marriage’ and Why Can’t Same-Sex Marriage Be ‘Biblical’?Spoiler: it’s misogyny — What is “Biblical marriage”? I’ve written before about how some conservative Christians believe that men and women are practically different species. Why Are Conservative Christians So Against Same-Sex Marriage? They believe men and women are fundamentally differentmedium.com However, I have come to realize that there is more to it than that. When a conservative Evangelical talks about “Biblical marriage,” what do they really mean?LGBTQ3 min readLGBTQ3 min read
Published inPrism & Pen·Aug 29Member-onlySaskatchewan Government Mandates Outing Transgender StudentsWhat happens when “parental rights” violate children’s rights? — The parent has a right to teach their values to a child. The parent does not have the right to a state apparatus to force the child to live by their values. — Kelly Lamrock, New Brunswick’s child and youth advocate My Workplace is a Safe Place I have been working for the Regina Public School…LGBTQ5 min readLGBTQ5 min read
