What a Mix: Seeing the Heart Beyond the Label

Dear Diary,

July is Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate our resilience and our history. It’s also a time for me to reflect on my role as a straight ally to the LGBTQ+ community. To me, pride is about everyone having the right to be exactly who they are without fear or judgment, no matter what or who they are.

I’ve explored this in my writing before, specifically in More Questions and The Foundation Years Complete-Trilogy. I wanted to share this piece with you today:

What a mix

There are many colours in this world

Pinks 

Browns 

Yellows 

Just to name a few 

And yet these are the colours 

People are called 

But yet inside they are the same

 It is a shame 

To call people these 

Yet people do

As I work on the manuscripts for Book 5 and Book 6, I’m reminded that while our journeys are different, our fight for accessibility, respect, and 'being who you want to be' is shared. Standing together makes us all stronger.

For those in the UK looking for inclusive support or disability-specific LGBTQ+ groups, please see the links below. And for my international friends, please do look for the pride and disability organisations in your own home countries.

Love,

UK Inclusive Support:

• Regard: National LGBTQ+ Disability Organisation – Specialist support for the intersection of these communities.

• Scope UK: Equality for Disabled People – Resources and campaigning for a fairer society.

• Stonewall UK: LGBTQ+ Rights and Support – Helping everyone, everywhere, imagine a world where they can be themselves.

International Resources:

• Find A Helpline: Confidential Support Worldwide – A tool to find support services in any country.

• ILGA World: Global LGBTQ+ Database – Tracking rights and groups on a global scale.