"Stand in the light and be seen as we are"

This song, by Jordan Smith, has been floating around in my head for a few weeks. The beautiful lyrics speak to having enough courage and loving support to show our true selves to others, to live the light that we are.

It really resonates with me in light of the recently-proposed policy changes in Alberta regarding the physical and mental supports for our trans youth and their parents. These youth will no longer have the support to become who they are struggling to be. Our government is quashing their rights to "stand in the light" and become the precious lights they are meant to be. A small group of people with nothing more than misinformation and their own political agendas, is making the already-difficult journey for these youth impossible.

I don't think being angry and using my voice to vent that anger is the answer. Nor do I believe in giving up and not saying anything at all.

I believe light is the answer. My light and your light and the many lights of the community that love and support our 2SLGBTQIA+ friends and family.

When I picture light in our world, I see many interconnected lights, one light linking to the next light and so on. Imagine if some lights are not allowed to shine and we start to see gaps in this chain of light? When we stifle others' lights, the interconnection and strength of the light diminishes. In a world that has lost so many "lights" in recent times, let's allow and nurture the gentle, struggling "lights" among us.

To you, our trans children, family, and friends, "with courage and kindness, hold on to your faith" - faith in your beauty and value, faith in those who hold and love you, faith in the community of lights around you looking for your light and presence among them.

My light is my voice and I would like to share the piece of this song that means the most to me and is my wish for our trans children as they grow, as we help them to thrive.