I take this hit

Like a steel knife scraping flint

And I have erupted into flame.

A fire of fury burns in my gut but I will not let it consume me.

Instead, I will breathe fire

Like dragons of legend.

I will be a safe harbor.

I will keep those who feel the bitter cold of exclusion warm

With community

With action

With love

And eventually we will rekindle hope.

In the face of hate

Joy is revolutionary.

In the face of exclusion

Inclusion is revolutionary.

In the face of another Trump presidency

Hope for a better, inclusive future

Work towards a better, inclusive future

Resolve for each and every person’s autonomy over their bodies and minds and hearts

Is Revolutionary.

This is a call for heroes.

Not with capes, but with heroic acts of courage in being our authentic selves.

In standing up for our rights

And just as loudly standing up for the rights of others.

A call to speak and write and sing and manifest the dream and power of a community—a nation—that celebrates our differences.

That’s the flame I breathe today.

And I will breathe this fire for the next four years—and beyond.

Breathe it with me.

Know your power. Our power.

And we will fly together,

And we will hold safe space together,

And we will breathe fire together…

BREATHE.