Pic of the Day

Not Feeling Well

I was not feeling great yesterday. I was nauseated all day and had a migraine. The nausea is better today, but my migraine is worse. I woke up at 3 am this morning and couldn’t fall back to sleep, which is not unusual when I wake up with a headache. At least I’m working from home today and can take it easy.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

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Tired

I wish I could go back to bed and just sleep through today. I’m just tired today, but thankfully, tomorrow will be a working from home Friday, and I can sleep late if I want. However, today, I have work that needs to be done, and there’s no rest for the weary. I wish I could be a cat and just sleep the day away like Isabella does. In this Isabella pic of the week, I’m getting the side eye from Isabella for disturbing her even though all I did was take a picture.

Pic of the Day

Snow Day

When I was growing up in Alabama, we didn’t have snow days. We were more likely to have hurricane days. Today, we are expecting 3-5” of snow. That’s not enough snow to cause a snow day at work. In fact, where I work rarely ever has snow days. I think twice in the last nine years have we had a delayed start, but never the full day. Since I’ve moved further away from work, I have had to take a few “work from home” snow days because there was too much snow to get to work. Today will not be one of those days. It hasn’t snowed enough so far to make it difficult to get to work. Yesterday had more of a chance in at least making me late for work because we were expecting snow squalls and whiteout conditions around the time of my commute to work, but it never materialized where I was. There was just some light snow on the way to work. So, today, I’ll be heading to work as usual. Besides, I have things I need to do at work today, so it’s off to work I go. 

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After the Threesome, They Both Take You Home

After the Threesome, They Both Take You Home
By Sue Hyon Bae

even though it's so very late
and they have to report to their jobs
in a few hours, they both get in the car,
one driving, one shotgun, you in the back
like a child needing a drive to settle into sleep,
even though one could drive and the other
sleep, because they can't sleep
without each other, they'd rather drive you
across the city rather than be apart for half an hour,
the office buildings lit pointlessly beautiful
for nobody except you to admire their reflections
in the water, the lovers too busy talking
about that colleague they don't like,
tomorrow's dinner plans, how once
they bought peaches on a road trip and ate and ate
until they could taste it in each other's pores,
they get out of the car together to kiss you goodnight,
you who have perfected the ghost goodbye,
exiting gatherings noiselessly, leaving only
a dahlia-scented perfume, your ribcage
compressing to slide through doors ajar and untouched,
yesterday you were a flash of white in a pigeon's blinking eye,
in the day few hours old you stand solid and full
of other people's love for each other
spilling over, warm leftovers.


About the Poem

Sue Hyon Bae’s poem “After the Threesome, They Both Take You Home” is a poignant exploration of intimacy, vulnerability, and the complicated emotions that arise from unconventional romantic or sexual experiences. As you read this poem, I’d like you to read it two different ways. First read it all the way through like one long run on sentence. Then read each line separately, stopping after to each one considering the line itself as separate from the poem. By reading it in those two very different ways, I think you will come to a better understanding of the nuances of the poem and the small details that form its narrative and cadence.

The poem’s title sets the stage for a layered, nuanced narrative, framing the aftermath of a threesome in an evocative and emotionally charged way and is particularly significant. “They Both Take You Home” suggests a sense of care, perhaps even responsibility, from the other two individuals. Yet it also implies a sense of being passed along, as though the speaker lacks agency or is separate from the bond between the other two. This duality reflects the poem’s larger themes of connection and alienation. “After the Threesome, They Both Take You Home” is a deeply emotional poem that captures the vulnerability of human connection in unconventional contexts. Through its reflective tone and evocative imagery, the poem invites readers to contemplate the complexities of intimacy, longing, and the spaces between people. It is a piece that lingers in the mind, much like the emotional residue of the moment it describes.

Bae employs understated sensuality, avoiding overt descriptions of the threesome itself and instead focusing on the quieter, more emotionally charged moments after. The imagery often feels muted, almost dreamlike, as if the speaker is processing the experience from a distance. The poem lingers on small, mundane details that carry emotional weight—a touch, a glance, or the silence in the car. These details serve to ground the poem in realism while heightening its emotional resonance. The poem thrives in its ambiguity, leaving much unsaid. The relationships between the speaker and the other two participants are unclear, which mirrors the emotional confusion of the moment.

The poem juxtaposes closeness with distance. Although the threesome is an inherently intimate act, the aftermath reveals how that closeness can magnify feelings of isolation. The speaker seems caught between two people who are physically present but emotionally distant, creating a stark tension. It subtly addresses the shifting power dynamics in relationships. The two partners may appear united, perhaps in their understanding of each other, while the speaker feels like an outsider even within this intimate moment. This reflects the imbalance of connection among the trio. There’s an undercurrent of longing throughout the poem—not just for physical connection, but for emotional understanding. The speaker grapples with the bittersweet reality of fleeting intimacy and its inability to fully satisfy deeper desires. The speaker appears acutely aware of the fleeting nature of the moment, and the poem captures how such experiences, though brief, can leave an emotional resonance that lingers.


About the Poet

Sue Hyon Bae is a poet and translator raised in South Korea, Malaysia, and Texas. She is the author of the poetry collection Truce Country, published by Eyewear Publishing in 2019, and co-translator of Kim Hyesoon’s A Drink of Red Mirror (Action Books, 2019). Bae’s poetry often explores themes of identity, memory, and cultural displacement, reflecting her diverse upbringing and experiences across different countries. She continues to contribute to the literary field through her writing and translations, bridging cultural and linguistic gaps.

Bae earned her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from Arizona State University (ASU) and is currently pursuing a PhD in Comparative Culture and Languages at ASU’s School of International Letters and Cultures. During her time at ASU, she served as the International Poetry Editor for Hayden’s Ferry Review. Her work has appeared in publications such as Four Chambers Press, Minetta Review, Apple Valley Review, and Please Hold Magazine. Additionally, her manuscript Truce Country was shortlisted for the 2017 Sexton Prize for Poetry.

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Section 31

Friday, Paramount+ released the first of their Star Trek movies, Section 31. In the Star Trek universe, Section 31 is a nefarious group introduced in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine when they tried to recruit Dr. Julian Bashir. Since its first introduction as an autonomous shadow organization tasked with protecting the Federation at all costs, the organization has appeared in Star Trek Into Darkness, Enterprise, and Star Trek: Discovery. The organization has always been portrayed as an evil organization that would stop at nothing to fulfill what it believes its mission to be. Some Star Trek fans hate the idea of Section 31 because they say it goes against Gene Roddenberry’s utopian ideals for Star Trek, but let’s face it, while the Star Trek universe gives us hope for a better future, the Federation has never been a perfect society. Even Gene Roddenberry understood that utopia would have its cracks in its foundation.

Since Michelle Yeoh departed Discovery there had been rumors of a Section 31 series. Then, Yeoh won an Oscar for Everything Everywhere All at Once, I assumed the series development had been cancelled. I did not believe an Academy award winning actress would headline a Star Trek series. So, I was surprised when they announced that Paramount+ would be making what they called an “event movie” about Section 31 starring Michelle Yeoh.

Every new version of Star Trek since the original series has had a love/hate relationship with Trekkies. Many Trekkies hate anything that is not the original series. Even Next Generation which has become a much beloved show was hated when it began. Deep Space Nine was basically hated through its entire seven seasons, Voyager always got a mixed reception, and Enterprise seemed to put a death knell in Star Trek spinoffs when it only lasted five season. Then, Discovery was released on CBS All Access, and the hatred truly began because it introduced an African American female as the lead character, had a gay couple, transgender and non-binary characters, and a host of other perceived faults. There are many Star Trek fans who never understood the social commentary that Roddenberry established in Star Trek back in the 1960s. It was always groundbreaking, but even Star Trek fans are not immune to the racist, the homophobic, and the ignorant, no matter how much those beliefs go against all Roddenberry’s utopian ideals for Star Trek.

So, it’s no surprise to see Section 31 get terrible reviews from some of the fans. Plus, internet trolls are everywhere including among Trekkies. They are going to be critical and hate everything and never give anything new a chance. I won’t claim that I thought Section 31 was a masterpiece. I believed that it would be a good movie because I really didn’t think at this point in her career Yeoh would be part of a project that she didn’t believe would be good. There were certain surprise elements to Section 31 that I enjoyed, but I knew from the beginning that this would be a darker version of the Star Trek universe. All in all, I was entertained by the movie. I always like seeing anything Star Trek. I even gave Prodigy a try, and it’s the only entry in the series that I could not watch. When it was on Paramount+, I watched it, but I never enjoyed it. That might have had to do more with it being a show for kids than with anything else. I certainly was not going to resubscribe to Netflix to watch it.

So while Section 31 was not my favorite of the Star Trek franchise, it wasn’t too bad. I was entertained, and that’s what really matters to me. So, if you are skeptical, I suggest you give it a try. If you have already seen it, what did you think?

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One in Christ

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

—Galatians 3:26-28

Paul’s words to the Galatians remind us of the radical inclusivity of the Gospel. In Christ, every barrier that divides us—ethnicity, status, gender—is broken down. Through faith, we are all equal before God, equally loved, equally valued, and equally welcomed into the family of God. This profound truth extends to LGBTQ+ individuals. The same grace that clothes us in Christ’s righteousness calls us to embrace our identity as beloved children of God. No one is excluded from the promise of God’s love, and no one is outside the reach of His saving grace.

Some religious leaders argue that this passage does not directly address LGBTQ+ individuals because the text specifically addresses divisions based on ethnicity (Jew and Gentile), social status (slave and free), and gender (male and female), without mentioning sexuality. Some view it as a commentary on unity in Christ rather than a statement about sexual orientation. These same individuals also claim that the passage’s primary intent is often interpreted as a call to remove barriers to salvation and inclusion within the Christian community, rather than addressing specific questions of sexual ethics or identity.They want us to believe that the mention of “male and female” in the context of unity in Christ is sometimes framed as reinforcing traditional binary gender roles rather than deconstructing them. This interpretation can lead to the assumption that the passage does not pertain to issues of sexual or gender diversity. Sadly, some scholars only see the passage as emphasizing the unity of specific groups that comes through baptism, rather than a broader affirmation of diversity in sexual orientation or gender identity. However, while Paul was trying to heal division within the church, those who exclude LGBTQ+ people from the meaning of this passage only want to sow division.

The passage’s emphasis on breaking down social and cultural barriers can and should be extended beyond the specific examples Paul lists. If Christ eliminates divisions based on ethnicity, class, and gender, it logically follows that other forms of exclusion—such as those based on sexual orientation or gender identity—are also contrary to the spirit of the text. Paul was addressing specific forms of discrimination relevant to his audience, but his broader theological point is about the radical inclusivity of the gospel. LGBTQ+ inclusion can be seen as a natural extension of this principle in modern contexts. The phrase “neither male and female” may challenge rigid gender binaries. This could open the door to understanding the text as inclusive of non-binary or transgender identities, as it undermines the idea that gender distinctions define our standing before God. While Paul did not address LGBTQ+ identities directly, the underlying theology of unity and inclusion can apply to marginalized groups in every era. To limit the passage’s meaning to its immediate historical context would overlook its broader implications. The passage asserts that identity in Christ transcends human categories. This resonates with the experiences of many LGBTQ+ Christians, who see their faith as central to their identity and as a rejection of societal judgments or exclusions.

Galatians 3:26-28 is not the only place where Paul states a message of inclusion. In Ephesians 2:14-16, he wrote, “For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility… His purpose was to create in Himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace.” This passage echoes the message of unity in Galatians, affirming that Christ breaks down barriers and creates one united family. In Colossians 3:11, he told the Christian community in Colossae, “Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.” This reinforces the idea that Christ is the foundation of our unity and identity.

The message of Galatians 3:26-28 is echoed throughout the Old and New Testaments. Isaiah 56:3-5 says, “Let no foreigner who is bound to the Lord say, ‘The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.’ And let no eunuch complain, ‘I am only a dry tree.’ For this is what the Lord says: To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant—to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will endure forever.” This passage demonstrates God’s heart for inclusion. Eunuchs, who were often marginalized and excluded in ancient times, are promised a place of honor in God’s house. It reminds us that God welcomes and affirms those whom society might cast aside. In 1 Samuel 16:7, the prophet says, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” God sees us for who we truly are—our hearts, our faith, and our desire to follow Him. Our worth is not determined by societal categories or labels but by His unconditional love. And in John 13:34-35, John writes, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Jesus’ command to love is the defining mark of His followers. This love is not conditional or limited—it embraces all people, regardless of their background, identity, or orientation.

Unity in Christ is a message taught through the ages. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, once said, “Though we may not think alike, may we not love alike?” This echoes the truth of Galatians 3:26-28. Diversity in thought, experience, or identity does not diminish our unity in Christ. Wesley’s words challenge us to prioritize love and understanding over division. Similarly, 20th-century civil rights leader Bayard Rustin, an openly gay Christian, demonstrated how faith and identity could coexist powerfully. He said, “We need, in every community, a group of angelic troublemakers.” This call to advocate for justice, rooted in love and courage, reminds us that living out our faith means creating a world where all are treated with dignity and equality.

While these passages may not explicitly mention LGBTQ+ individuals, their messages of radical unity and inclusion supports the view that Christ’s grace transcends human divisions, including those based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The restrictive interpretation risks ignoring the broader implications of Paul’s theology, which seeks to affirm the full dignity and equality of all who are “in Christ.” Galatians 3:26-28 is a powerful reminder that the Gospel is for everyone. It calls us to embrace our identity as children of God, break down barriers of division, and live in unity and mutual love. In Christ, all are welcome, equal, and valued. As we reflect on Galatians 3:26-28, consider the following: Are there ways you’ve excluded yourself or others from God’s grace? How can you live in a way that reflects the unity and equality found in Christ? How can you be an advocate for inclusion and justice in your community? For LGBTQ+ individuals, this passage affirms your belonging in God’s family. You are clothed in Christ, and nothing can separate you from His love.

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Moment of Zen: Bears

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Pic of the Day

The End of the Week

It’s Friday, and I’m back on my regular schedule of working from home today. It is so nice to be able to log into my work computer with my cup of tea in hand, in sweats and a t-shirt, knowing the weekend is just around the corner, and I don’t have to get out in the cold this morning. Working from home is more than just a shift in location, it’s a chance to set the tone for a productive yet relaxed day. It’s easier to focus without the buzz of the office, and the flexibility means I can finally tackle the laundry piling up. Mostly though, I will spend the day preparing for next week’s classes. I’m just glad I can do it while being more relaxed from home.

I feel bad for all the government workers out there who have lost the privilege of working from home. In this first week, the new administration in Washington has already begun to dismantle America, whether it’s revoking job offers and laying off all government employees who have worked less than a year to allowing ICE agents to invade schools to take away students. In the United States, don’t kids have enough to worry about with school shootings and not feeling safe in school, but now worrying that armed agents of the government are going to burst into classrooms and drag them away?

You haven’t heard much about the new administration on this blog because I find it so disheartening and depressing. It’s not like there isn’t a lack of things to say. Since a fascist oligarchy has assumed office on January 20, the new administration has enacted several policies that have raised concerns about the erosion of human rights and democratic principles: 

• Terminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs; 
• Banning non-U.S. flags at embassies preventing the display of flags representing various social movements, such as LGBTQ+ Pride and Black Lives Matter; 
• Revoking affirmative action policies ending hiring practices that had been in place since 1965 ending attempts to create workplace diversity; 
• Signing an executive order on “Biological Truth” enforcing a strict male-female binary and disregarding the existence of intersex individuals and transgender individuals; 
• Attempting to end birthright citizenship, disregarding a key provision of the the definition of a US citizen in the Fourteenth Amendment; and 
• Erasing transgender rights by halting the issuance of gender-corrected passports and other policies aimed to promote transphobia in the federal government. 

Each of these actions have been widely criticized by human rights organizations and advocacy groups as undermining civil liberties and democratic norms. Legal challenges are anticipated as stakeholders seek to uphold protections against discrimination and preserve democratic principles. My fear is that with the current makeup of the Supreme Court, these policies will be upheld no matter how blatantly unconstitutional and undemocratic they are.

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Ugh! Work

I wish I could stay home this morning, but I have a few things I need to be at the museum to do. If I had my work computer here, I’d call in sick. I left at lunch yesterday because I had a migraine. This morning, it’s not much better, in fact it’s not better at all. I may only go in for a partial day. I need my work computer to do much of what I need to do today.  I have a school group coming today, but my boss could handle that. However, I need my computer for the rest of what’s on my agenda. I have some emails to answer; I need to prepare for my classes next week; and I need my computer to be able to work from home tomorrow. I could do all that at home on my personal laptop, but it only has Microsoft Word, not the rest of the Office Suite. I could access it through the online Microsoft 365, but I hate using Office through my browser. It always feels clumsy to me. Anyway, I’ll go in today for whatever length I need to, then, I’ll work from home tomorrow.

Here’s your Isabella pic of the week:

I’d rather be doing this today: laying on my couch with Isabella on my hip. I wish she’d lay in my lap or down my chest and stomach, which she’ll do on rare occasions, but her preference is my hip with me laying on my side. Sometimes, this is how I fall asleep at night, with her on my hip.

Pic of the Day

Not Much to Say

I don’t have much to say today. Yesterday was a long and busy day at work, and I came home, plopped down on my couch, and felt like I just melted into the cushions. Part of it was the cold outside and the warmth in my apartment helped to make me relax. It’s even colder today. Currently, it’s -4 degrees. I dread leaving my apartment today. I wish I could just go back to bed, but I can’t really do that. I have a list of things to do at work today, but I will be happy to get back home and just relax with a book for the evening.

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PLEASURE

PLEASURE
By Rick Barot

You are told to believe in one paradise
and then there is the paradise you come to know.
The shoes lined up in pairs by the door
and the herd moving with its mysterious intent
across a dark plain. The blue of the sky
which is the zenith of all colors
and the love of the man in the next room,
strong and rough as a hog’s back.
My mind has a slow metabolism, it is slow
to understand what anything means,
but it understands that if you look at something
long enough, it will have something
to say to you. The sun that is strangely bright
on some days, a poisoned canary,
and the crop of winter rocks in a meadow
in April. Learning decades later
the name of the hospital where you were born
and watching the child eat a mango
as though it is time he is eating, time shining
on his lips. On fewer days I agree
with the poet’s dread of being
the wrong person in the right world, and believe
in adhesion, in never showing up
empty-handed, even if the pleasure I know best
is fused with the abject. There is always
the other side of the heart, its coaxing:
You are here. You can begin again. You can rise.


About the Poem

Rick Barot’s poem “PLEASURE” is a reflective exploration of the complex, temporary nature of joy and its interplay with memory, desire, and loss. The poem’s tone, imagery, and structure create a layered meditation on how pleasure functions in human experience—often fleeting, tinged with regret, and deeply tied to the past. “PLEASURE” subtly incorporates LGBTQ+ elements through its exploration of desire, intimacy, identity, and memory. While the poem does not explicitly label its speaker or relationships as LGBTQ+, Barot’s own identity as a gay poet often informs his work with themes and perspectives that resonate with queer experiences.

Barot presents pleasure as a temporary force, one that is often recognized only in hindsight. This echoes the human tendency to grasp the beauty of a moment only when it has passed. The poem suggests that pleasure is rarely pure; it often exists alongside pain or regret. This duality underscores the richness and complexity of human emotions. Barot juxtaposes the immediate sensation of pleasure with the act of remembering it, highlighting how time alters our understanding of joy. Desire in “PLEASURE” is complex, nuanced, and layered with emotional resonance. For LGBTQ+ individuals, desire often carries added layers of significance due to societal stigmas or personal struggles with self-acceptance. Barot’s portrayal of pleasure as fleeting and bittersweet reflects how queer relationships and desires can feel both liberating and precarious, particularly in contexts of marginalization. The poem’s treatment of desire may symbolize the intricate ways LGBTQ+ individuals navigate their identities and relationships, often balancing joy and vulnerability.

The poem often reflects on past experiences of pleasure and how they linger in memory. This recalls a shared LGBTQ+ cultural experience of longing, whether for lost love, fleeting moments of intimacy, or the lives and relationships lost to societal rejection or historical events like the AIDS crisis. Barot’s treatment of memory as both a source of pain and beauty can resonate deeply with LGBTQ+ individuals who grapple with their histories. This focus on memory underscores the importance of queer histories and the act of preserving personal and collective joy in the face of erasure or loss.

Barot’s imagery is vivid and sensuous, often grounded in concrete details that evoke a visceral reaction. He uses specific, tactile language to anchor abstract ideas in the tangible world. For example, descriptions of physical experiences—food, touch, or natural beauty—become metaphors for broader emotional truths. The poem’s diction is precise, yet it leaves space for ambiguity, inviting the reader to linger on the lines and uncover deeper meanings. Barot’s work often resists conventional ideas of identity, intimacy, and relationships, favoring a more fluid and open-ended exploration. “PLEASURE” similarly resists simple definitions of joy, instead presenting it as fleeting, multifaceted, and tied to deeper emotional truths. For gay men, this fluidity may mirror their own experiences of rejecting or redefining societal norms around relationships, gender, and identity. The poem’s openness reflects the diversity of queer experiences, celebrating individuality and complexity rather than conforming to rigid frameworks.

Pleasure, especially that of the LGBTQ+ community—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—has historically been policed or stigmatized. Barot’s meditation on pleasure as fleeting, beautiful, and tinged with melancholy resonates with how queer joy can feel both radical and fragile, particularly in a world that often marginalizes LGBTQ+ love and intimacy. The poem’s nuanced portrayal of pleasure invites LGBTQ+ readers to see their experiences of joy and desire as valid, even when they are complex or contradictory. “PLEASURE” carries a sense of wistfulness, as if the speaker is caught between the joy of past experiences and the pain of their transience. There’s a subtle mourning for moments that cannot be reclaimed, and yet a celebration of their existence. The poem seems to ask: How do we hold on to pleasure without being consumed by its loss?

Rick Barot’s “PLEASURE” is a poignant exploration of joy’s fleeting nature, filled with evocative language and deep emotional undercurrents. By examining the intersections of time, memory, and feeling, the poem invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of pleasure—how they shape us, linger within us, and ultimately remind us of our humanity. Barot’s ability to capture the ephemeral, bittersweet nature of pleasure speaks to the ways LGBTQ+ individuals navigate love, memory, and desire in a world that often denies them full expression. The poem becomes an affirmation of queer resilience, beauty, and the enduring power of joy, even when it is fleeting.


About the Poet

Born in the Philippines and raised in the United States, Rick Barot earned a BA from Wesleyan University and an MFA from the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Barot is an acclaimed Filipino American poet known for his precise language, rich imagery, and meditative explorations of identity, memory, and the complexities of human experience. His work often combines lyrical introspection with sharp observations of the external world, weaving personal history with cultural and historical contexts.

He is the author of several celebrated poetry collections, including The Darker Fall (2002), which won the Kathryn A. Morton Prize in Poetry, Want (2008), Chord (2015), which received the UNT Rilke Prize and was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and The Galleons (2020), a National Book Award longlist selection. He has also received numerous honors, including fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

In addition to his poetry, Barot is an esteemed educator and serves as the poetry editor for The New England Review. He is currently the director of the Rainier Writing Workshop, a low-residency MFA program at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington.

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MLK Day

On this very cold January 20th (It’s currently 6º F and it will drop to -4º by midnight tonight.), we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, honoring the legacy of a man whose fight for justice, equality, and love transformed the world. While Dr. King’s work focused on the Civil Rights Movement and dismantling systemic racism, his message of universal dignity resonates deeply within the LGBTQ+ community.

Dr. King believed in the interconnectedness of all struggles for equality, famously stating, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” His words remind us that the fight for LGBTQ+ rights is part of a broader movement for human rights and liberation.

Throughout history, LGBTQ+ activists have drawn inspiration from Dr. King’s nonviolent approach and his unwavering hope for a more just society. Bayard Rustin, one of King’s closest advisors and the chief architect of the 1963 March on Washington, was a gay man who lived his truth despite societal discrimination. Rustin’s vital contributions to the Civil Rights Movement show the shared stakes between racial and LGBTQ+ justice.

On this day, we reflect on how Dr. King’s dream challenges us to continue the work of building a world where everyone is free to love, live, and be their authentic selves. His legacy urges us to fight against hate and discrimination in all its forms and to envision a future rooted in compassion and equality.

As LGBTQ+ individuals and allies, celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a reminder of the power of solidarity, courage, and the belief that love truly conquers all. Together, we honor his dream by continuing to create a world where everyone can thrive.

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Hope in Christ Amid Uncertainty

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

– Jeremiah 29:11

As we face the weight of uncertainty and fear with the shifting political climate, it is important to remember that our ultimate hope is not in governments or leaders, but in the unchanging love of God. When the world feels hostile and our future seems precarious, the promises of Scripture remain a steadfast anchor for our soul. God created us in His image (Genesis 1:27), wove us together in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13), and loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). No political decision, no law, and no leader can separate us from the love of God. In Romans 8:38-39, Paul tells us, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Throughout history, people of faith have faced seasons of oppression and fear, yet they found courage in God’s promises. Reflect on the words of Martin Luther King Jr.: “We must accept finite disappointment but never lose infinite hope.” As LGBTQ+ Christians, we may encounter challenges, but we are called to hold fast to the infinite hope found in Christ. In moments of despair, consider the Israelites during their captivity in Babylon. Though they were exiled from their homeland, God spoke words of hope through the prophet Jeremiah. Even in a foreign land, God assured them of His plans to give them “a hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). Similarly, God’s plans for us remain secure, no matter the challenges we face.

What practical steps can we take to nurture hope in this time of anxiety and despair? We can surround ourselves with fellow believers who affirm and support us. Together, we can remind one another of God’s promises and bear each other’s burdens. Galatians 6:2 tells us, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” We should pour out our heart to God, sharing our fears and frustrations. The psalmist reminds us in Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” We must remember to practice love and kindness. In the face of hostility, choose to reflect Christ’s love. Romans 12:21 says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

God sees us, knows us, and loves us completely. In moments of fear and hopelessness, He remind us of our faithfulness. He helps us to trust in His plans, even when the future feels uncertain. He surrounds us with His peace, strengthen us with His Spirit, and empower us to reflect on His love to a world in need. We must place our trust in God, knowing that we are the same yesterday, today, and forever. As we move forward, cling to this truth: God’s love is our foundation, and His kingdom cannot be shaken. Whatever comes, Christ walks with us every step of the way.

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Moment of Zen: Comfy Couch

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Pic of the Day

Friday Blues

It’s Friday morning. Isabella started trying to wake me at 4:30 am, but I held her off until 5 am. Instead of bounding out of bed with the usual determination, I found myself wanting to hit snooze, or at least going back to bed after feeding Isabella, but I know I can’t. Isabella is not a patient cat, few cats are, and I have to get ready for work. Fridays have a funny way of testing my work ethic, whether it’s when I’m working from home and know I can work at my own pace, even taking a nap if I want, or having to go to the museum for work like today. I’m very ready for the weekend, but there’s still a to-do list staring back at me. I have next week’s class to prepare for, a class to teach for another professor this afternoon, and a physical therapy appointment this afternoon. So, I’ll hop in the shower, get dressed and head out the door. I just don’t want to do so. At least, the weekend is very near.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! We just need to get through Friday first.

Pic of the Day

Broadening the Mind

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”

—Mark Twain

The above quote by Mark Twain emphasizes the transformative power of travel in broadening one’s perspective and combating ignorance, prejudice, and narrow-mindedness. Travel exposes people to different cultures, customs, and ways of thinking, which challenges preconceived notions, stereotypes, and biases. It fosters empathy and understanding by showing the diversity and complexity of human experiences.

Twain acknowledges that many individuals remain confined to their limited worldviews because they have not had the opportunity—or the inclination—to step outside their familiar surroundings. He suggests that travel could help these individuals overcome their prejudices. By encountering different perspectives and lifestyles, travelers develop a more inclusive, kind, and generous attitude toward others. This openness leads to a deeper appreciation of humanity’s shared values and differences.

Remaining in a single place or within a single worldview limits personal growth and understanding. Twain suggests that staying in a “bubble” leads to stagnation, whereas exploration brings enlightenment and growth. In essence, Twain is advocating for travel as a means to expand one’s mind, challenge ignorance, and promote a more compassionate and inclusive outlook on life.

I have not had much of a chance to travel recently because I am not counting going back to Alabama for the holidays or traveling to conferences for work. I would love to get away and spend a few days in Montreal or go on another gay retreat like the one I went to a few years ago at Easton Mountain. When the weather gets warmer, I would love to visit Ogunquit, Maine, or Provincetown, Massachusetts, both towns known for LGBTQ+ tourists, with numerous LGBTQ+-owned and -operated hotels, restaurants, and bars. I haven’t taken a gay themed vacation in a while and would love for the chance to do so. Of course, I wish I could take a trip to Europe, but I definitely can’t afford to cross the Atlantic, but a boy can dream.


I have not posted an Isabella picture of the week in a couple of weeks, so here you go: