I have been through a lot of emotions over the last few days. I started out so incredibly optimistic, convinced that we were going to see the first female president. I didn’t see how she could lose considering the crimes and threats of her opponent. That was followed by extreme anxiety, heartbreak and despair on election night. At first I was scared, because I am always afraid of everything, but then I got mad.

I can’t control what is going to happen to this country. And I fear that what’s coming will be very, very bad. But, what I can do is resist and fight and do what I can to support and protect those most at risk. I can use my voice to speak out and my platform to promote books by Black authors, by LGBTQIA2S+ authors, by disabled authors, by Trans authors, by Latin authors, by neurodivergent authors, by Asian authors, by authors from all marginalized communities.

I have already officially come out on social media, not just as Demi-Bi and neurodivergent, but also as Michelle, formerly Fitkittymama. I will be updating my About Me page soon, as well as all of my bios on my various social media platforms. And I will be posting a picture of myself, rather than the avatar I currently use. I’m not hiding behind anonymity any longer.

My current living situation means I can’t completely cut myself off from those who support the hatred and bigotry. I am at the mercy of my family currently, at least until I am able to find a job and have some money coming in. They haven’t commented on the post I made on my named Facebook page, nor have they commented on the election to me at all. They know my position and I know theirs. At this point we are coexisting, I am grateful to them for providing me with food and shelter, and I have to tread very carefully here. I don’t feel 100% safe, but until I have other options, I have to do the best I can do.

But I want to make it perfectly clear where I stand, so that there is no confusion.

I support a woman’s right to bodily autonomy
I support the LGBTQIA2S+ community
I support the disabled and chronic illness communities
I support the Black, Latino, Asian, and Persian communities
I support the Trans community
I support all marginalized communities
I believe that reading is a political act