In the past year, I’ve been able to reflect on my progress as well as Queer Agenda’s progress. I’ve been able to educate thousands of people around the world about something I love so much. I’ve helped to raise money for organizations insanely close to my heart. I’ve given a TEDx talk, written articles, and been given a platform that I never imagined I would have. Aside from those successes, I’ve also learned a lot about where I fit in this community. It’s taken me a majority of my life to get comfortable with the self-identifying term “queer historian.” Something about it was sealed behind the doors of higher academia and thousands of dollars of student loan debt. While this is true to an extent, I don’t have a PhD nor do I have decades of organizational training, specialized training, and experience. I started this as twenty-year-old with a couple of years of education under her belt who needed to get all this information out of her head.
I’ve also learned a lot in the past year. Here are some of my favorite lessons that I’ve had to learn the hard way.
1. Social media is way harder than it looks. I bow down to social media managers everywhere.
2. No matter what you do and how you do it, you will always end up pissing somebody off. Be kind and do it anyways.
3. A majority of learning is making mistakes.
4. Being in this space can be mentally and physically draining. Take care of yourself so you can take care of others.
5. Queer history is nothing without the community that carries it. Queer history is a testament to all the people who had be loved behind closed doors.
6. Our loved ones who we lost way too soon live on in our work.
7. It’s okay to say no.
8. There is always something new to learn. Buy the books. Watch the documentaries. Go to the museums.
9. People want you to succeed. Let them cheer you on.
10. Celebrate the little wins.
11. Turn on your email notifications for Sticker Mule. You never know when you’re going to get a great deal on buttons.
12. “You are not obligated to complete the work but neither are you free to abandon it.” - Rabbi Tarfon
13. The world can be a really fucking scary place. Get off social media for your mental health. Find the helpers.
14. Someone worked tremendously hard for you to be here, even if it doesn’t feel like it.
15. You have been loved for generations.
16. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Our bodies are not equipped to handle this much grief alone.
17. You will have countless nights where you stare at your computer so long it hurts to blink, and you’ll wonder why the fuck you’re doing this. You’ll also remember how scared you were before you came out and suddenly find the strength to keep going.
18. TikTok is an ephemeral thing. Just do the best you can and hope you end up on the right for you pages.
19. Sometimes just showing up is the only thing you can do.
20. Being queer is the greatest blessing you ever could’ve been given.
I’m sure I’m missing more. I’m sure there’s more to learn. I’m sure I’ll learn it all by stumbling blindly through. I hope you’ll be there with me.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. This is my wildest dream come true, and I try every day do right by you.
With Love from Texas,
Madeline <3
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