Licensing – Make sure the recovery center, treatment program, counselor, or therapist you choose is licensed in the state they practice in.

Specialization – In addition to catering to LGBTQIA+ clients, you may want to ensure your chosen facility or program offers the options you need, like affirmative therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, suicide prevention, etc.

LGBTQIA+ community – While it isn’t a requirement that an LGBTQIA+ person have an LGBTQIA+ specific recovery program, there are some benefits to it. LGBTQAI+ staff, peer groups, and therapists can understand your struggles because they’ve likely had their own similar experiences. And LGBTQIA+ clients may feel more comfortable talking about issues unique to them with someone who is also LGBTQIA+.

Free consultation – Most recovery programs offer a free consultation before you decide to work with them. This provides an opportunity to get a better idea of the program’s approach to therapy and LGBTQAI+ issues. Some questions you may want to ask during the initial consultation include:
​

• Do you provide LGBTQIA+ friendly recovery?
• Are any staff members in the LGBTQIA+ community?
• How many years of experience do you have providing LGBTQIA+ recovery?

You may also want to ask questions about the type of therapy provided, how long the program is, whether there are inpatient and outpatient options, and what kind of mental health conditions they treat.

​Tiger's Pictionary became an important part of my ministry when it was celebrating its sixth month of giving space for people to have fun on a quiet Wednesday night, while also giving space for a small event to help raise money for several of the community support organizations in San Diego County.

Tiger, or Saint Tiger, and I like to call this San Diego's longest running, weekly FunDraiser.  Now in its 11th year, Tiger's Pictionary has raised over $100,000 for various San Diego organizations.

I enjoy Pictionary because the event fills a need to connect with people in a fun way. Sisters in many other cities have their own game nights for this type of ministry. It has been a valuable way to both be out with our community and to serve in helping others. Personally, it has helped me feel my own relevance. 

​Counting nearly 400 lives lost, 2021 has become an unfortunate record year for losses in our trans and nonbinary communities worldwide.
 
The losses are due to complications of Covid-19, suicide, filicide, and murder.
 
Some of these people have been identified. Some have not. Some are known only by a single name. One is known only by an initial of a dead name.
 
The names belong mostly to trans women of color, showing us yet again how violence against women is tolerated worldwide. The countries named show us how common it is for violence to be perpetrated against trans women in Brazil, which remains the country with the highest death toll in the world for their trans population, of which 90% are sex workers. Mexico falls just behind.
 
Some of these people supported their communities through their activism, businesses, and professions. Some had supportive families, most didn’t. Some had children and grandchildren, and some were children. Some were refugees and immigrants, out of home, sex workers, victimized by family members, acquaintances, and partners, living in poverty, victims of law enforcement violence and clinical neglect. Some took their own lives rather than continue to face bigotry and psychological suffering in the military, in schools, online, in prisons, and due to social neglect.
 
The experiences of those named remind that health care access and social services need more expansion worldwide, as does human understanding and elimination of phobias and stigmas too often used as an excuse for violent attacks.
 
Beyond the causes of their deaths, all should be remembered for who they were and how they bettered our communities.
​

We remember our folx from the U.S.A.:

Haven A. Bailey, Illinois
Oliver “Ollie” Taylor, Oregon
Giselle Hartzog Hilton, Washington, D.C.
Serenity Hollis, Georgia
Danny “Pryynce Daniel” Henson, Baltimore, Maryland
Alexander Blake VanDalsen, Lafayette, Indiana
Samuel Edmund Damisn Valentin, “Pxnisher”, Puerto Rico



​We remember our Indigenous folx:

Whispering Wind Bear Spirit, Shawnee and Potawatami, York, Pennsylvania



​We remember our Black folx :

Kier Lapri Kartier, Arlington, Texas
Brianna Ulmer Hamilton, "Brinasty", Chicago, Illinois
Disaya Monaee Smith, Illinois
Dandara Brum, Brazil
Taya Ashton, Maryland
Grace Mahoro, Malawi, Africa
Novaa Ru Watson, "EJ Boykin", Lynchburg, Virginia
Tierramarie Lewis, Cleveland, Ohio
Dee Dee Thomas, New York
KC Wilson, Washington, D.C.
T. Hardin, South Carolina
Keri “Bobo” Washington, Clearwater, Florida
Aidelen Evans, Port Arthur, Texas
Tiara Banks, Chicago, Illinois
Remy Fennell, Charlotte, North Carolina
Dominique Lucious, Springfield, Missouri
Jaida Peterson, Charlotte, North Carolina
Diamond Kyree Sanders, Diamond Nicole, Cincinnati, Ohio
Kimberly “Tova” Wirtz, Baltimore, Maryland
Jasmine “Jazzy” Bright, Ambridge, Pennsylvania
Jeffrey “JJ” Bright, Ambridge, Pennsylvania
Fifty Bandz, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Dominique Jackson, Jackson, Mississippi
Bianca “Muffin” Bankz, hoped to compete on RuPaul’s Drag Race, Atlanta, Georgia
Natasha Kieanna, Detroit, Michigan
Tyianna “Davarea” Alexander, Chicago, Illinois



​We remember our Latinx folx:

Zoella "Zoey" Rose Martinez, "Zo Zo", Seattle, Washington
Rubi Dominguez, Arlington, Texas
Tiffany Thomas, Texas
Iris Santos, Houston, Texas
Kim Ramirez, New York
Rayanna Pardo, Los Angeles, California
Chyna Carrillo, New Wilmington, Pennsylvania



We remember our South American folx:

Paulet, Guanajuato, Mexico
Gina Rodriguez Sinuiri, Peru
                                 Ivana, Peru
Alessandra Drummon, Brazil
Duda Laif, Brazil
Lucca Gomes Souto, Brazil
Kelly "Dandara" Alves, Brazil
Lorena Muniz, Brazil
J.F. Medina Hernandez, Mexico
Raquel, Brazil
Hevelyn Montine, Brazil
Nataly Lily, Brazil
Rebeca Sampaio / Raiane Santos de Matos, Brazil
Kerollyn Moroe Shampherllay, Brazil
Paola Calderon, Mexico
Luana Menndes, Luana Pereira dos Santos, Brazil
Darla, Brazil
Dodo Bezerra da Silva, Brazil
Nathaly Mendes Alves, Brazil
Lourrany Lopes Leitao, Brazil
Merida Irlanda, Mexico
Mia Morais, Brazil
Antonella, Columbia
Camila Arcila, Colombia
Natalia Maldonado, Argentina
Dayana, Colombia
Heloisa "Lora" Ferreira, Brazil
Raqueli, Brazil
Suelen Carey, Brazil
Fernanda Alvarado, El Salvador
Pamela Lorrany, Brazil
Bruna, Brazil
Valentina Gamez, Venezuela
Mia, Mexico
Gil "Gigi" Mendes, Brazil
Sabrina Martins, Brazil
Malu Mejias, Chile
Badega, Brazil
Bru Waldorf, Brazil
Fabiola Rivera, Mexico
Itu dos Santos, Brazil
Victoria "Vicky" Nunez, Argentina
Aline Sanchez, Mexico
Fatima Belen Barrios, Argentina
Roberta Silva, Brazil
Ravel Oliver, Brazil
Fabiana da Silva Lucas, Brazil
Kendra Gonzalez, Mexico
Valeria Carrasco, Mexico
Maha Moretto, Brazil
Tatiana, Colombia
Crismilly Perola, "Piu Piu", "Bombom", Brazil
Isabella Garzon Monsalve, Colombia
Natasha Galvao, Brazil
Veronica Solano, Colombia
Adriana Diaz, Colombia
Maria Eduarda, Brazil
Bebe, Brazil
Wanda Soraya De La Fuente, Argentina
Pompeia Ramos, Brazil
Shirley Mejia Sanchez, Colombia
Kalyndra Selva Guedes Nogueira da Hora, Brazil
Josselin Alejandra Hernandez, El Salvador
Daniele Silva, Brazil
Michel, Mexico
Nicolly Xavier Azevedo, Brazil
Danny Benavides, Ecuador
Ligia, Brazil
Catalaya Martinez Machado, Colombia
Dayana Cervantez, Mexico
Santiago Cancinos, Argentina
Thaynara Moraes, Brazil
Yulieth Balmaceda, Colombia
Rubia Carvalho, Brazil
Claudia Madonna Ramirez, Colombia
Karencita Mejia Nunez, Honduras
Ilas Gama Nunes Andrade, Brazil
Laura Michelle, Colombia
Kendra Torres Galeana, Mexico
Roberta Fernandes, Brazil
Eliana Castillo, Colombia
Titi das Chagas, Brazil
S. Saira Mamani, Peru
Cielo de Luca, Argentina
Reyne “Reira Saga” Fernandez Villanueva, Peru
Jaqueline Saviery Silva, Brazil
J.S. Cardoso, Brazil
Luana Morais, Brazil
Emanuelly Castro, Brazil
F. de Assis Braga de Oliveira, Brazil
Sharlotte Escobar Ramos, Mexico
Silvana Gomez Galeano, Colombia
Andresa Santos, Brazil
Monalisa Leide, Brazil
Viki Nieva, Argentina
Yara Cumady, Yara Pereira dos Santos, Brazil
Melibeth Yulitza Marchena, Colombia
Yeray “Teresa” Hurtado, Colombia
Stefany, Brazil
Josefina Cruceno, Argentina
Sofia Micaela “Mica” Catan, Argentina
Kendra Zambrano, “La Kendra”, “La Barbie”, Mexico
Milena Massafera, Brazil
Marcia Marcita, Brazil
Marcinha “Maquita” Vaz, Brazil
Fanny, Brazil
Pietra Valentina, Brazil
Jennifer Zapata, Mexico
Daniela, “Sirenita Riascos”, Colombia
La Gasparina, Puebla, Mexico
Luana Katrina, Brazil
Drika Rodrigues Sales, Brazil
Alexandra Monteiro, Alexandra Correa de Oliveira, Brazil
Taina, Brazil
Mikelly Camara, Brazil
Natali Sofia Martinez Grabados, Colombia
Fabiola Pamela Ramirez, Argentina
Lala Contreras, Nicaragua
Nicolas, Argentina
Andressa Pimentel, “India”, Brazil
Eva Carvalho, Brazil
Natasha da Paz Gomes, Brazil
Alissia Rodriguez, Brazil
Gerusa Oliveira Reis, Brazil
Diana Miranda, Paola Ferrati, Mexico
Manuella Otto, Brazil
Andrea Nestor Moreno Castillo, Colombia
Camila, Mexico
Pojuca Alves de Souza, Brazil
Nicolly Fernanda, Brazil
Luna Abascal, Getsemani Santos Luna, Mexico
Malevola Lessa, “Leticia”, Brazil
Mimii Lessa, “Yasmin”, Brazil
Natasha Santos, Brazil
Alessandra Ferrati, Bolivia
Angie Priscila Jeaniot Arevalo, Colombia
Giovanna Betancourth Vergara, Colombia
Giselle Sakai, Brazil
Keron Racah, student, Brazil
Andressa das Chaga, Brazil
Ursula A.S., “Maravilhosa”. Became internet famous internationally when she turned a sidewalk in Porto Velho into a catwalk when she saw a camera from TV Allamanda, an SBT affiliate. Rondonia, Brazil
Amandha “Mandhy” Fagundes, Brazil
Duda dos Dantos, Brazil
Lucho Avila, Argentina
Lupita Moraes da Silva, Brazil
Ygona Moura, interviewed by National Geographic in December 2020, Brazil
Dayanna Scarlett, held a Miss Teen beauty pageant title, Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico



We remember our folx from the Near East, Far East, Eurasia, Europe, and the UK:

Ella, Iran
Nuray Nuriyez, Baku, Azerbaijan
Tristan Fremont, France
Shafiq, Delhi, India
Collegai, Pakistan
T. Vijay Kumar, India
Adrieli, Rome, Italy
Ambre Audrey Istier, France
Pamela, "Pam", refugee from Congo living in Turkey
A Raza, Pakistan
Guddu Zaman, Pakistan
Ebeng Mayor, Metro Manila, Philippines
Jhie Bangkiao, Philippines
Gianna Lombardi, Italy
Aliya, India
Bubbli, Pakistan
Paula Migeon, France
Mumtaz, Pakistan
Niharika Narasimhamurthy, India
Miras Gunes, Turkey
Milo Turner, Plymouth, Devon, UK
Byun Hee-soo, South Korea
Xingshun Zhou, Echt, Limburg, Netherlands
Nicolas, France
Dimitra Kalogannis, subject of two short films including “Mr. Dimitri and Mrs. Dimitroula”, a video interview by cinematographer Tzeli Hadjidimitriou. Athens, Greece



We remember our artists, professionals, and business owners:

Sasha, designer and creator, Paris, France
Angelita Alves Correia, personal trainer, dance instructor, and online influencer, Portugal
Daisy del Carmen, editor of the video game portal Atomix; involved in many projects in the world of gaming. Tamaulipas, Mexico
Sandie Crisp, “The Goddess Bunny”, actress, famous for viral video “Obedece la Morsa” (“Obey the Walrus”) and appeared in the Marilyn Manson video “The Dope Show”. Los Angeles, California
Ivanna Macedo Silva, beauty specialist, Peru
Alexus Braxton, Kimmy Icon Braxton, hairstylist, Miami, Florida
Samantha “Sammy” Riano Morales, stylist, Tolima, Colombia
Saulette, stylist, Guanajuato, Mexico
Kadir Murat Sozubir, singer, Istanbul, Turkey
Jesus Ochandio, “La Ochandio”, actor, humorist and drag artist; cook for the La Ollita community dining room, which distributed food for two-hundred families. His life ended before he could start teaching free theatre classes at Casa Pueblo Unidos, the space for social, labor, and political training to which he belonged. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Naomi Alonso, stylist and human rights activist, Mexico
Natalia Smut Lopez, Drag Queen, San Jose, California
Piper Autumn Rivers, “Tegan Toxik”, “Tegan Last”, adult industry performer, Army veteran who served in Afghanistan, Las Vegas, Nevada
Krys Brandon Ruiz, writer of poetry and music lyrics, Lompoc, California
Lola Santos, hairdresser, Brazil
Claire Monserrat Jackson, writer and illustrator, Ohio
Ana Paula Lopes dos Santos, makeup artist, Brazil
Pooh Johnson, makeup artist "Titanizer Mua", Louisiana
Karla Ariella, belly dancer and performer, Brazil
CoCo Chanel Wortham, master cosmetologist, Dallas, Texas
Fray Mando Bautista Bodadilla, model and stylist, Mexico
Danizinha "Dani" Fontiny, model, Brazil
Valery Pereira, beauty stylist, Honduras
Ivonne Tlahuetl, hairdresser, Iztapalapa, Mexico
La Guaraca, kiosk owner, Ecuador
Elizabeth Rondon, vegetable seller, Venezuela
Erika Tatiana Martinez Garcia, small business owner selling drinks and food, Honduras
Michell Gonzalez Cortes, "Pitufa", beauty stylist, hairdresser, and salon owner, Venezuela
Cindy Jones Torres, salon owner, Philippines
Brianna Kamila Espinosa Sanchez, “Kami”, hairstylist and salon owner, Yumbo, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Juliana Santos, employed with Facebook App, Brazil
Professor Luciana Sandreli Alves, teacher, Colatina, Espirito Santo, Brazil
Dr. Patricia Targino Dutra, Basic Health Unit (UBS) of the community of Manimbu in Sao Jose de Mipibu, Brazil
Professor Fran Demetrio, Leader, Coordinator, and Researcher of LABTrans and the first trans woman teacher at the Universidade Federal do Reconcavo da Bahia, Brazil
Anannyah Kumari Alex, the first trans DJ in Kerala and the first trans person to seek election to the Kerala Legislative Assembly, India
Near, "Byuu", developer of the bsnes, higan, and ares gaming emulators and advanced the world of SNES emulation. Released their fan translation of Bahamut Lagoon reviewed as the most exciting and meticulously crafted language adaptation of a video game of this era. Tokyo, Japan


We remember our community caretakers:

B., who raised funds for a Rehab Center in Zacatecas
Emilia Herrera Obrecht, “Bau”, Mapuche trans artist and activist who was trying to help defend indigenous land from encroachment. Panguipulli, Los Rios, Chile
Vida Bruno, historian and coordinator of Policies and Promotion of LGBTI+ Citizenship for the City of Salvador; activist for human rights; co-founder of the LGBT Reference Center. Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Devanny Cardiel, trans ambassador for Guanajuato, Mexico
Valentina Vera Lopez, “Kim”, collaborator and activist of Movilh-Los Lagos, The Homosexual Integration and Liberation Movement, a Chilean human rights advocacy organization which focuses on civil rights and liberties for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender citizens. Puerto Montt, Los Lagos, Chile
Michele Almeida, student and colleague at Transvest, an NGO coordinated by city councilwoman Duda Salabert that aims to combat transphobia and facilitate the inclusion of transgender people in society. Contagem, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Jane Elizabeth McQueen, activist lawyer, writer, photographer, and wife of Isabella "Bella" Bellusci, whom we lost in 2020, Manchester, UK
Jenna Franks, involved in the Onslow County LGBTQ+ Community Center where she supported those experiencing homelessness. Jacksonville, North Carolina
Catalina Santos Arevalo, activist, Mexico
Gala Ocampo Figueroa, activist for the rights of transgender people with Diversidad Sexual en Morelos ( Sexual Diversity Collectives ), Amacuzac, Morelos, Mexico
Surya, transgender community leader in Malad. Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Sneha, social activist for trans rights in India and member of the transgender Kudumbashree unit; in 2020 stood as an independent and the only trans candidate for the kizhunna ward of Kannur Municipal Corporation, the civic administration body of Kannur. Kannur, Kerala, India
Larissa “Lara” Dieckmann, president of OLT – Orgulho e Luta Trans ( Pride and Trans Fight ); advocate for the LGBTI population; activist for rights, social assistance, and cultural valuation; promoter of the Miss Transex Niteroi pageant. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Shai Vanderpump, LGBTQ activist, New Jersey
Luisa Revilla Urcia, former mayor of the La Esperanza district of Trujillo, becoming the first transgender woman in Peru to be elected as a councilor; trans activist for health rights; awarded by the Provincial Municipality of Trujillo in recognition of services to the trans community. La Libertad, Peru
Fanny Arguello Jaqueline Sanchez Sampirolly, human rights activist, and founder of Diana Sacayan, transformarse es vivir (transforming is living) AC. The organization put forward the "Trans Identity Law" to guarantee the right to recognition of people's identity. Chiapas, Mexico
Nila Gupta, co-founder of Bi's of Colour, artist, activist, writer, cultural critic, specializing in race, class, gender, and disability issues. London, England
Andrea Gonzalez, activist, leader of the trans organization Otrans Reinas de la Noche; leader of an initiative of the Regional Human Rights Project; fellow of the State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program; collaborator with the United States Agency for International Development; and a key partner with Cristobal in Guatemala for LGBTQI+ justice work. Guatemala
Leeze Lawrence, equality advocate, journalist, producer; key member of the LGBT group Out For Independence; campaigner for the equal rights of minorities. Scotland
Luciana Moscoso, stylist and member of Red Comunitaria Trans ( Trans Community Network ), Colombia
Vanessa Zuniga, volunteer for Asociacion de Prevencion y Educacion en Salus, Sexualidad, Sida y Derechos Humanos (APREST) (Association for Prevention and Education in Health, Sexuality, AIDS and Human Rights). Honduras
Debora Loven Stayne, former president of the Ceara Transvestite Union; candidate for councilor in Juazeiro do Norte by the Social Democratic Party (PSD) in 2020. Barbalha, Ceara, Brazil
Cecy Caricia Ixpata, "Morenita", produce vendor and member of Redtrans, the National Network of Trans People that brings together trans groups throughout Guatemala, Guatemala
Zashy Zuely del Cid Velasquez, makeup artist and beauty salon owner; grassroots activist with Colectivo Perla de Oriente, an organization that works to promote the rights of the LGBTI+ population in the eastern region of El Salvador and have designed emergency routes to deal with reports of attacks. San Miguel, El Salvador
Gloria Florencia Alvez Marino, activist directly involved in the creation of laws to protect LGBT+ people, sex workers, and women, including the creation of the Sex Work Law, the Right to Gender Identity Law, and the Comprehensive law for Trans Persons. Activist for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and against the sexual exploitation of girls, boys, and adolescents. In 1990 Gloria founded the first trans collective in Uruguay, called the Transvestite Coordination Board, currently the Uruguayan Trans Association. She has also worked as the Uruguayan coordinator of the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Trans People (Redlactrans). Uruguay
Oliver Jackson / Poe Delwyn Black, “”Legion”, “Tommi”, activist for justice for native, Black, and LGBT+ people, Tennessee and California
Madalena Leite, former city councilor, the first trans woman to be elected in the city of Piracicaba in the interior of Sao Paulo. Thiago Barros is producing a documentary about Madelena called “Meu Nome e Madalena”. Brazil
Sophie Gwen Williams, artist, musician, and trans activist; Chair of the 343, a Belfast-based charity and Feminist-led Queer Arts Space; co-founder of 343 Radio, the first ever queer radio station in Ireland; co-founder of We Exist, an organization created to provide emergency support for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals in the UK; Northern Ireland
Rayza Torriani, founder and leader of Red de Personas Trans de Bolivia (Trebol); LGBT+ rights activist; political influencer, Bolivia
Nona Moselle Conner, Program Director for Collective Action For Safe Spaces (CASS) and their DecrimNow campaign, anti-harrassment efforts, and Safe Bar Collective jobs program for trans and queer people of color; worked for Casa Ruby where she helped clients through empowerment groups that addressed sex work, sexually transmitted infection prevention, and job training. Washington, D.C.
Sophie Vasquez, particpant with EsTr Community ( El/La ) that defends the interests of the trans community in Atlanta so that they can achieve the recognition and access to social services that other groups enjoy. Atlanta, Georgia
Rany “Nynha” Merces, activist who worked to defend the rights of the trans and prisoner populations in the Belo Horizonte region; a community social educator; worked with FONATRANS – Forum Nacional de Travestis e Transexuais Negras e Negros; Miss Bahia Trans Plus Size 2021, Brazil
Danielle “Dani Achiaa B.” Boachie, Mistress Velvet, Dominatrix activist who made her mostly well-off, straight, white, male clients read Black Feminist Theory texts during sessions; executive director for the Sex Workers Outreach Project USA; director of education and training for Resilience, an Illinois-based nonprofit that advocates for survivors of sexual violence. Chicago, Illinois
Jahaira DeAlto Balenciaga, activist; member of the Ballroom community with The House of Balenciaga; advocate for equality and for victims of domestic abuse; YouTube vlogger focusing on social justice issues and inner-community conversations regarding trans women; speaker at the Ryan White Conference on HIV/AIDS at Harvard University; guest lecturer at Columbia University’s School of Social Work; speaker and organizer of the Trans Day of Remembrance. Boston, Massachusetts



We remember those 33 whose names remain unknown from:

Mexico
Brazil
Pakistan
Russia
Italy
Australia
El Salvador
​

    Check out your public library’s Website! Many are currently offering temporary library cards so you can access their digital content right away. If you already have a library card and have not yet accessed them, now is the time to check out their digital offerings. See if they have a digital catalog of their special collections as you can find some fascinating items there. You may even be able to go see it in person (once it's safe to do so, of course).

     You can access The City of San Diego Public eLibrary here and their Digital Archive here.

 OF WATER AND THE SPIRIT by Malidoma Patrice Somé is a brilliant autobiographical tale of the early life of a present-day African Shaman living between two worlds - western culture and his original tribal culture.

As part of Novice Sister Gwenn N Dowtte's Novice Project, we offer this blessing of the color GREY:

Are you feeling lonely and depressed? 
Are you being pressured to make decisions? 

Embrace the Grey with GreEriya, the first familycological on the market to help you feel calm relief in this chaotic world. 

GreEriya is like nothing you have been fed before. The missile-shaped capsules are easy to swallow and come in over 50 shades of grey including 

• Steely-Blue
• Tea-Green
• Mauve
• Dust Rose
• And Greige!

A graynbow of colors to choose from within the unassuming cool grey bottle!  One a day is recommended to relieve confusion and allow space for reflection.

Start feeling secure and confident in your well-informed decisions made in your own time. Talk to yourself about GreEriya today!

As part of Novice Sister Gwenn N Dowtte's Novice Project, we offer this blessing of the color BROWN:

Does a bear shit in the woods?  Well I sure hope so! A brown bear drops its brown poop at the base of a brown tree.  This fertilizes the tree, so it can grow big and strong and sprout leaves and fruits, which the brown bear eats, which is then digested into… poop!  And the cycle continues. Brown is the basis for the cycle of life!

Bears and trees, the most natural signs of strength we know!  Though brown is also the color of deserts, dry brush, and ashes… it is the basis of life.  It is the start and end. It is the cycle. Hidden within the stoic brown trunk of a forest tree springs moisture and life!  Without the strength of a tree’s roots, there would be no leaves, no flowers, no other colors in the world! And so we honor the color Brown for providing us with life, with nourishment, with beauty.

As part of Novice Sister Gwenn N Dowtte's Novice Project, we offer this blessing of the color BLACK:

In the shadows, in the darkness, lurking behind in mystery.  Black represents all things spooky, and odd, and scary.  

Black is the color of darkness, of everything combined together yet nothing visible.  Black represents the end, the final destination, death.  

Every day we are alive is a blessing, but only because we know we will not live forever.  Life is precious because it can disappear into the darkness at any moment.  

Through the AIDS crisis in the 80’s… through Don’t Ask Don’t Tell in the 90’s… through the tragic death of Matthew Shepard in the early 2000’s… the queer community has a long history of death and darkness.  

We fight every day for our right to exist and feel safe from the darkness that others try to force upon us.  We fight for our very survival.

But in the darkest of times, we remind ourselves that as a community, we survived the AIDS crisis; We overcame Don’t Ask Don’t Tell; We rallied our strength after Matthew Shepard.  

And in the face of continued oppression, we stand together in the fight to preserve marriage equality; We stand together in opposition of the Transgender Military ban; We stand together to fight for the right to use the bathroom in public.  

Because we are strong, our community is strong, and we will not be kept down!

As part of Novice Sister Gwenn N Dowtte's Novice Project, we offer this blessing of the color WHITE:

White
A blank, clean slate
Start over fresh 
It can be great

A lack of color
Yet the total sum
An empty vessel
Yet the basis of all

White face reflection
White veil starting new
A great brightness
Shines upon us all

White
A blank, clean slate
Start over fresh 
It can be great