On October 7, 2023, the Nova music festival was held close to the border of the Gaza Strip. Palestinian militants violently interrupted young attendees dancing and enjoying the outdoors while listening to a concert. Unprovoked, these terrorists raped, beheaded, and tortured these people for no reason other than to start a war with Israel. Among ...

For the first time in her life, Lacey was alone. No comfort of familiarity in her parents’ home, no June, no Brooke. She was forced to reckon with the reality that she was fully responsible for her entire life now. She sat up in bed trying to make sense of the utility bills she left ...

We’re ass-deep in bathroom confusion: Gender has this issue twisted all wrong. Some folks are worrying about trans women, But I’ve been thinking of trans men all along.  They’re the ones watching for landmines As they enter the predator’s den; People who think of “grape” as they shit Seem to flock to the sign that reads “men.”  I’ll invite trans folks on my potty ...

Sometimes my confidence in my identity wavers. However, one aspect that I’ve learned to embrace is my sexuality. I’m a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and identify as pansexual. To be clear, pansexuality means I experience sexual, romantic, and emotional attraction to anyone, regardless of their presentation.   I recall learning that definition during research years ago and thinking, “Wow, ...

“Yeee-OUCH!” My Tusken Raider voice ululates, and my hands flit to my neck to wrest any ponytail I have left from Abby’s grasp. “What are you doing back there?”   With a huff, she releases her hold on the brush she’s wrapped my curls around. “Trying to tame this rat’s nest.”    “Well, brute force isn’t the answer,” I assure her, carefully unwinding single strands from the cylindrical bristles. “Hand me that detangling spray.”   She steps aside and shuffles the bottles of product crowding the top shelf of the rolling cart stuffed between our desks. The ...

“What do I do now?” Lacey sipped her coffee as Syler’s clear boundary replayed in her mind. “When you figure that out, call me.” He was direct; he wouldn’t settle. Lacey had to decide if Brooke’s presence was worth the chaos. Her hand tightened around her mug so hard that her knuckles whitened. She felt ...

The summer sun gave way to the falling leaves, marking the onset of fall. For once, Lacey found herself blanketed in the comfort of a routine. Her guard fell with each passing month. Syler’s intentions remained steadfast, and he proved himself daily. His kind personality helped her heal her heart after the traumatic first months ...

Luna fussed with her hair for the hundredth time. The pair of diminutive silver barrettes she’d snagged at Al’s Emporium functioned to hold the strands out of her face, but old habits die hard. Distracted, she stepped backward and almost knocked over a display of Omarite healing crystals. Under normal circumstances, she was careful to ...

Author’s note: This piece includes brief mentions of suicide. Please read with discretion. “The Trump Administration Orders Termination of National LGBTQ+ Youth Suicide Lifeline, Effective July 17th.”  I recall seeing these words appear on the explore page of one of my social media platforms. A storm of shock and denial consumed me with each word ...

Luna paced the deck in her quarters until the hunter-green carpet turned a dusty shade of moss. The argument with Astor flickered in her mind like the light of a pulsar, its intensity re-surging as soon as it subsided. Her eyes stung with bitter tears that refused to fall. The memory of the pain plastered ...