United in Pride

United in Pride: Celebrating World Pride Day

Celebrating Pride Month on the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.

(Remembering LGBT+ refugees whose voice is often silenced)

In June, we dance in colors bright,
In rainbow hues, we claim the night.
For every heart that dares to be,
We celebrate our unity.

With joy and love, we raise our voice,
In every song, in every choice.
To all who shine, both near and far,
You are perfect as you are.

To LGBTIQ folks and friends,
Our pride, our strength, our love extends.
In every heart, a flame burns true,
For all the colors that are you.

Stand strong, endure, and face the day,
With courage that won’t fade away.
For every tear, for every fight,
There comes a dawn, a brighter light.

In unity, we find our might,
Together, we can turn the tide.
With open arms and spirits high,
We lift each other to the sky.

So here’s to love, in every form,
To weather every passing storm.
To bonds of friendship, family ties,
We stand together, proud and wise.

A joyful heart, a spirit free,
That’s what pride will always be.
With hands held high and voices clear,
We celebrate, year after year.

The Pride event in Kakuma Refugee Camp, July 2023, that for one moment brought Kenya into the civilised world.

Happy Pride Month Message

To all LGBTIQ people and families, we wish you a very happy Pride Month! Embrace your strength and stand tall against any adversity. Let love, unity, and brotherhood guide us, as we celebrate who we are and the beautiful diversity within our rainbow family. Together, we are unstoppable. Happy Pride! From Joseph

= = =

STOP PRESS: We remember the Stonewall riots occurred in response to police violence against LGBT+ people a generation ago. However, we should also remember that today, the situation is no less terrible for many people around the world. Yesterday, our friend and poet, Joseph, was a victim of police violence and he is currently in hospital where he will hopefully recover after his ordeal. To Joseph from all your fans who love your poetry and the spirit of pride and optimism that it represents, your rainbow family and allies send their love and best wishes for a quick recovery.

This blog ©2024 Geoff Allshorn. Remembering also my three other LGBT+ friends in Africa who have been attacked by homophobes this week.

Embracing and Welcoming Home Refugees

Image by Anja?#helpinghands #solidarity#stays healthy? from Pixabay

On this World Refugee Day, we pause to see,
The strength of those who journey to be free.
From lands of strife, they bravely flee,
In search of hope, in search of “we.”

Through stormy seas and deserts wide,
With nothing more than hope as guide, They
carry dreams and hearts that yearn,
For peace, a place to freely turn.

But still, the world turns oft away,
From those who need a place to stay.
We must embrace, not shun or fear,
For every refugee is dear.

Their stories carved from pain and grace,
Should find a welcome, warm embrace.
In every heart, let love arise,
To see the world through their bright eyes.

Each refugee, a tale untold,
Of courage that is pure as gold. They
seek no more than what we crave,
A chance to live, to love, be brave.

To all the world, a call we send,
To hold them close, to be their friend.
To open doors, to build a new,
A world of many, strong and true.

For stigma is a shadow’s game,
It only brings unjustified shame.
Let’s cast it out, let’s bring to light,
The truth of love, the wrong of spite.

No human should be left to fend,
In lands unknown without a friend.
Let’s raise our voices, loud and clear,
To show them love, to hold them near.

Their courage lights our darkest days,
Their hope ignites our brightest rays.
Together we can build a place,
Where every refugee finds grace.

So on this day, let’s stand as one,
For every daughter, every son,
For mothers, fathers, all who roam,
Let’s make the world a welcoming home.

Call to Action

On this World Refugee Day, let us commit to doing more. Let’s embrace the refugee crisis with compassion, recognizing the humanity in every individual who seeks asylum. Stigma and fear have no place in our hearts or societies. Together, we can create a world where every refugee is loved, respected, and given the dignity they deserve. Let’s stand united and make a difference.

Composed by Joseph.k

This blog ©2024 Geoff Allshorn.

Sic Itur Ad Astra

A filksong to the lyrics of “Angels We Have Heard on High” (public domain)

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Astronauts we watch up high,
Reaching for the stars their aim,
And the clouds beneath them hie
Reflecting their joyous strain:

Gloria, sic itur ad astra!
Gloria, sic itur ad astra!

Apollo 11 lunar footprint (NASA photo)

Science, why this scandalry?
Why your wondrous works denied?
We should all most gladly be
Inspired by your deserved pride.

Gloria, sic itur ad astra!
Gloria, sic itur ad astra!

STS089 (1998) — The Nullarbor Plain and the coastal escarpment rises abruptly to 500 feet above sea level. Photo credit: NASA

Watch and learn and strive and see
Denialism disavowed.
Come, adore on bended knee
How our lives are better now.

Gloria, sic itur ad astra!
Gloria, sic itur ad astra!

NASA photo

Across land and air and sea,
In and ’round and ‘bove the earth!
Our space age technology
Enhances our lives and worth.

Gloria, sic itur ad astra!
Gloria, sic itur ad astra!

©2024 Geoff Allshorn.