Should we focus on current news headlines during this pre-holiday week, or should we stick to the traditional holiday column? Let’s aim to do both.
First, on a personal note, the holiday season is a time for joy, family and friends. While we celebrate in various ways, this time can also be challenging, especially if it’s the first holiday after losing someone close. It’s important to embrace that loss by celebrating the memories of your loved one and the holiday traditions you shared. Reflect on the happy moments you experienced together and raise a toast in their honor. For those feeling lonely during this season, consider joining a support group or volunteering with a nonprofit organization that resonates with your interests; it’s a meaningful way to give back and possibly make new friends along the way.
For those shopping for gifts, I encourage you to shop local and support LGBTQ+ businesses. A thoughtful idea for a gift could be a membership to a nonprofit as a holiday present.
Now, let’s briefly discuss a few current headlines. As it’s the holiday season — a time for miracles and giving — I want to share some wisdom that comes from enduring difficult times. As older individuals, we often say we’ve seen it all. When faced with the unusual, we turn to our past for perspective. Right now, we find ourselves in a moment of backlash against our community, but many of us have faced similar challenges before. From Anita Bryant and the Moral Majority to the Tea Party and the HIV/AIDS crisis, we’ve experienced significant adversity, often with our lives at stake while leaders remained inactive. In each of these instances, we united as a community and emerged stronger. Therefore, I see this moment as a potential time of rebirth, with a strong belief that brighter days lie ahead after this backlash. Happy holidays to all.