Let’s not beat around the bush; it seems like the world is on fire right now. And for the queer community, every day someone adds more petrol. Or gasoline, if we’re being geographically accurate…
While it can be hard to stay positive, reminding ourselves of what brings us pure and wholehearted happiness can help things seem a little less out of control. So, for International Day of Happiness, we asked the LGBTQ+ community what brings them queer joy — here’s what they said!
STRANGERS USING NEUTRAL PRONOUNS WITHOUT PROMPTING OR ASSUMING.
SEEING A RAINBOW FLAG ON A BUSINESS DOOR.
SAYING “MY WIFE.”
WEARING BIG BOLD BEAUTIFUL COLORS AND FUN SILHOUETTES.
OLD PEOPLE ENJOYING PRIDE.
BABY QUEERS. THEY MAKE MY HEART SO HAPPY.
BEING IN CONVERSATION WITH SOMEONE AND BEING ABLE TO TALK ABOUT ALL MY LOVE STORIES WITHOUT HESITATION.
WHEN QUEER MUSIC DOMINATES THE MAINSTREAM CHARTS.
WHEN FOLKS USE MY PRONOUNS PROPERLY.
BEING SHIRTLESS OR THE FEELING OF A SHIRT AGAINST MY CHEST AFTER YEARS OF BINDING.
NOT FEELING ANY PRESSURE TO DEFINE MY SEXUALITY TO OTHERS…BUT ALSO THAT FEELING WHEN YOU DO!
WATCHING A DRAG QUEEN CRUSH IT ON MAINSTREAM TV (LA VOIX ON STRICTLY)
WHEN I SEE A GAY COUPLE WALKING DOWN THE STREET HOLDING HANDS. IN THE LITTLE RURAL COMMUNITIES I GREW UP IN 40 YEARS AGO, THAT COULD HAVE LITERALLY GOTTEN YOU KILLED.
WHEN SOMEONE SCREECHES WITH EXCITEMENT AT SEEING THEIR FLAG OR IDENTITY REPRESENTED IN MY BUSINESS!
MY CIS PARTNER TALKING ABOUT HAVING A QUEER RELATIONSHIP WITH ME.
CHATTING TO OTHER LESBIANS WHO UNKNOWINGLY BATTLED COMPULSORY HETEROSEXUALITY (AND CAME OUT THE OTHER SIDE - LITERALLY!)
WHEN I WALK OUT BEHIND A WOMAN, AND THE MAN HOLDING THE DOOR SAYS “HAVE A NICE DAY MA'AM” TO HER, BUT LOOKS AT ME AND SAYS “YOU AS WELL” LIKE HE CAN’T DETERMINE MY GENDER.
WHEN THE HETEROS LOVE QUEER ART AS MUCH AS WE DO (HEATED RIVALRY, ETC.)
NOT DRESSING FOR THE HETERONORMATIVE MALE GAZE BUT FOR MYSELF.
What brings you queer joy? We’d love to hear from you over on our socials!
Shop queer joy at Rainbow & Co:
Tilly Brogan
Tilly is a queer Freelance Copywriter based in Manchester. She balances her time between working with LGBTQ+ organisations and women’s rights charities - and people watching in various Manchester cafes. She is also a proud lesbian. You can read more of her work here.
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