by Emma Atkinson and Rachel Drake
Hello, most esteemed readers! Thank you for cuddling with us in this most consent-filled of corners.
It’s June and that means Pride. It’s a time for you to bask in the wonder that is you, with all of your lovely individual qualities. And, while you’re at it, you can take some time to bask in the wonder that is your community, with all of the weird and wild people who are part of it. We’re hoping that your community has a relatively high percentage of weird and wild people because, in our experience, they tend to be the most fun!
We hope to see you at the Capitol Hill and Seattle Center Pride events on June 25 and 26 - we’ll be there! And we’ll be at (and in) the Pride parade in Seattle on Sunday, June 26. Celebrations abound all month long and celebrating with your community can create an upward spiral of even more joy and mutual appreciation.
You’ll probably see some people you know, only you may not have known some aspect of them that is evidenced in a Pride celebration. Remember that you need their explicit consent to refer to this new knowledge in the world at large. Just because you know that they are XYZ (kinky, queer, ethically non-monogamous, poly, leather, etc.) doesn’t mean that they are out to the world.
Many people have justifiable concerns about how their employers, their family, or others in their community would react to this new knowledge. A simple or playful tag on social media can cause people serious issues. Even in this day and age, some people have morality clauses in their work contracts, others may be grappling with custody issues, and still others may find their housing situation suddenly jeopardized. Please be mindful of how your words and actions can affect others’ lives.
Homework: Please celebrate your Pride in all the ways you possibly can. Remember to celebrate mindfully and let a focus on consent be your guide. We’d love to hear your favorite Pride stories - send them to: info@thecspc.org.
“Be excellent to each other” - Bill and Ted
“Be sexcellent to each other” - Emma and Rachel