YOU HAVE BEEN PAID FOR.

Every opportunity you’ve ever been given has only been possible because somebody, somewhere, at some point in time, fought for your freedom.

“Each of you,” to quote Maya Angelou, “has been paid for.”

So the next time you doubt yourself, or question your right to occupy space - because, who knows, perhaps you’re distracted by old conditioning and/or insecurities, and you need some courage - try telling yourself this:

“I am not alone. I’ve been paid for. I am the love and sacrifice of thousands, and I’m bloody well gonna bring every single heroic trailblazer with me - right now - to this wildly mundane moment. In this club, in this workplace, in this shopping centre. Wherever.”

Yeah, it can feel fucking ridiculous, I know, but this imaginative exercise really does embolden me (at wobbly moments) to transcend my own limitations in order to honour the past, my present + somebody else’s future. Imagine that? Love + solidarity across time(lines) https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💖" title="Funkelndes Herz" aria-label="Emoji: Funkelndes Herz">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🌈" title="Regenbogen" aria-label="Emoji: Regenbogen">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✊" title="Erhobene Faust" aria-label="Emoji: Erhobene Faust">

If you haven’t guessed already, Maya Angelou’s wise words - and the example of her HUGE life - pretty much got me through my youth. Thanks, M!

I do love a bit of LGBTQ history, so of course feel free to add your own fave retro pics to this little vintage Pride parade of a thread. Always eager to see more https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🌈" title="Regenbogen" aria-label="Emoji: Regenbogen">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🎉" title="Partyknaller" aria-label="Emoji: Partyknaller">