We explore the benefits of centering joy in difficult times, reflect on the importance of Pride month in light of renewed attacks on the queer community and attempt to find hope in a post-Roe future.
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Hi all,
The initial letter I had drafted for you talked about the summer heat and the daily grind. And then Friday’s Supreme Court ruling was released and I think we all lost our footing. I know I did. I’m an eternal optimist, but even I am having a difficult time finding hope right now. I am looking to those who I respect and who have led me through dark times before, for help on how to put one foot in front of the other and try to turn the tides. That means that I will be doing a lot of postcarding, phone banking, and donating before November. If you’re feeling like I do, I invite you to join me.
Before Friday though, I had something exciting that I wanted to share with you. I learned how to ride a bike last weekend (to see proof, please feel free to look at our Instagram account)! This small thing brought me so much joy and excitement, and my plan is to continue with this new endeavor while I also rage, cry, and take action.
Our newsletter and blog article this week serves as a reminder to seek joy, especially right now.
We know it’s not easy, but we believe it’s still worthwhile and necessary.
Please read this month’s blog article if you need convincing or help finding joy. We hope that it’ll offer a useful perspective.
And if the thought of trying to find joy feels too far lofty or you need support, please reach out. We know it isn’t always easy, and we’ve been there too. Our email address is info@takeroottherapy, and you can reach us by phone or text at (323) 388-5578.
Warmly,
Saba Harouni Lurie
On The Blog
How Do I Keep Going?: The Importance of Finding Joy (Even When Things Seem Hopeless)
When we started working on this article, things in our country and the world were swiftly crumbling, and I certainly felt the impact. And then last week happened, and it felt as though the rug was pulled out from under my feet. I was recently reminded, “intellectually knowing that something is coming does not prepare you for the devastation in the body when it hits,” and it hit. Considering the recent supreme court rulings against the backdrop of the past few months and the years before, it is unmistakable that we have been contending with a lot. From Covid to increased attacks and the stripping of our civil rights to a seemingly endless stream of mass shootings fueled by extremist ideology, it’s easy to feel like giving up…
How to Help
June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month
Over the course of the past half a century, we’ve made undeniable and tremendous progress in advancing the rights and freedoms of LGBTQIA+ folks in this country. And while we should certainly celebrate that progress this Pride month, the fight for true freedom and equality is far from over. In this year alone, over 300 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced all across the country and the conservative right has utilized fear mongering and misinformation tactics to make their base view queer people as a threat to their way of life.
Sadly, their plan seems to be working; several Pride events this month have been threatened, with one Pride celebration in Idaho narrowly avoiding an ambush from 30+ white nationalists who intended to violently disrupt the festivities. As a result, many organizations have had to increase their security at Pride events or cancel them altogether in the hopes of warding off these attacks.
This Pride month, as members of the queer community and as allies, we must find a way to hold space for the genuine joy and true fulfillment so many have found when given the opportunity to live their most authentic lives, while also reminding ourselves that there’s still much more work to be done.
Right now, it’s more important than ever for allies to get engaged in this struggle. For many queer people, their very existence can be a form of activism but in order to effectively push back against the erosion of their civil rights, they need the support of allies. And this support can certainly look like showing up to protests and giving to nonprofits, but it should also include being thoughtful and intentional about how they engage with heteropatriarchy in their daily lives. We not only need a legislative shift, in order to achieve equality we must also shift as a culture by challenging the ways we’ve been taught to think about gender and sexuality.
If you are an ally who is trying to figure out what ways you can support and fight for the LGBTQIA+ community, this month and every month, here are a few resources to get started:
Being an LGBTQ Ally via the Human Rights Campaign
The Guide to Being a Straight Ally via Straight for Equality
25 LGBTQ Books for Pride Month That Inform and Entertain via Parade
For the first time in the history of the Supreme Court, the majority of justices have handed down a decision that outright rescinds a right protected by the Constitution. And although we could have guessed this would be the case (the court was stacked in the favor of conservatives for this express purpose) it’s hard not to feel shocked that our right to bodily autonomy could so easily be taken away. Then comes the grim realization that this decision will only work to compound and exacerbate the numerous public health crises that this nation has already been struggling to combat.
It is grotesque and horrific to force someone to stay pregnant against their will and doing so will only endanger the lives of countless people all across this country. And while it’s important to honor the hopelessness, despair and grief we’ve all been struggling with since the decision was handed down, we also can’t give up. Allowing for over half the states in this country to ban access to abortion will not stop abortions from happening and it’s up to us now to create a community of support and a network of resources for people seeking safe abortions, especially the low income people of color who are put the most at risk by the Supreme Court’s decision.
The Brigid Alliance is a referral based service that will step in and support those who can’t access an abortion where they live by providing funding for travel, hotel, food and even childcare expenses incurred by a person who needs to seek an abortion elsewhere. There’s also the National Network of Abortion Funds which is an extensive directory that not only details where to get an abortion, but also what funds are available to help pay for it. And on the local level there are nonprofits like the Haven Coalition, which is an organization of volunteers who watch out for people that have to travel from out of state to seek an abortion in NY. Haven Coalition volunteers not only open up their homes to give these folks a place to sleep at night, they also provide meals and escort people to and from their appointments.
These resources, and many others like them serve as reminders that although the battle for reproductive rights took a major blow today, there’s still so much power in community and this community is far from defeated.
Community Events
Yoga in the Park | Go Heart
On the first Saturday of every month, join One Down Dog yoga studio in an hour long yoga session to designed to strengthen and improve heart health. All are welcomed, from the more experience to those who are just starting out, and you will need to provide your own yoga mat. After class refreshments are provided!
~FREE~
WHEN:
Sat, July 2nd
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
WHERE:
Verdugo Park
1621 Canada Boulevard
North side of park (across from baseball field)
Glendale, CA 91208
Free Family Event: Recycled Art-Making with reDiscover Center
Get crafty with the whole family! Culver City’s reDiscover Center hosts this fun, kid-friendly “make and take” event for ages 4-8 on the plaza at Ivy Station Culver City. Tap into your inner maker and create something new out of recycled and reclaimed materials. A different art project each time. Come to one event or all!
WHEN:
Sat, July 2nd
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
WHERE:
Ivy Station
8900 Venice Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90232
Featured Publications
11 Surprising Benefits Of Journaling
featuring Saba Harouni Lurie
5 Ways Travel Is Good for Your Mental Health
featuring Saba Harouni Lurie
