Congrats, Julia! This sounds just like the fun read I’m looking for this year, so I can’t wait to pick it up in the fall!

consistently flabbergasted that not only is it horrifically offensive, but the music is also terrible???? how do you make a musical about queer people with BAD music? 😭

You should not be receiving death threats—that is a terrible thing to have happen and I am sorry people are treating you with such unkindness, especially over something so absurd. “My president” is not someone I elected, and someone who threatens my own safety. You and I are not enemies.

—learn and grow. If she does not want me to be able to see/reply and blocks me, I will wholeheartedly respect that. I do not think continuing our conversation will be fruitful now. I wish you the best night/day, and I will ponder what you have shared here as well. :)

I am not going to continue to engage, as nothing I have shared tonight was said with anger, malice, or the intent to fight. Threats and cruelty towards her were uncalled for and wrong, 100%. But I am one for calling-in and not calling-out. I appreciate when folks share their perspective so I can—

Fascism is a global issue. Canada, the Uk, Italy, and Germany have all seen growing far right movements, gaining steam year over year. Pointing this out has nothing to do with centering the U.S.?

I have no expectations that she do anything US-centric—I don’t WANT that. The video was vitriolic and spoke of Americans as though they were the sole cause of toxicity online. If it were any other country facing this kind of oppression, I don’t believe that vitriol would have been shown.

I think you fundamentally misunderstand what I’m saying. I am glad that she is taking the steps she needs to for her wellbeing and to focus on Canadian issues and issues closer to her, which she stated in that video. That’s a good thing! She DOESN’T have power or influence over American politics.

I don’t know that you saw the specific video that I did, as it is no longer available, but my concern was that the vitriol being thrown at a group of people struggling under an oppressive power, who are rightfully very afraid right now, was cruel. Intended harm or not, impact matters.

I don’t expect to be centered by non-Americans. I think it’s prudent to for people to focus on the issues and struggles within their community which they have influence over. Though I think it’s disingenuous to portray America’s rise in fascism as unique, rather than the global issue that it is.

Wishing you nothing but peace, wellness, and good fortune ahead. You have the power to do so much good in Canada, and in your community, and I hope the changes you are making allow you to be that force for good.

American centrism *is* a problem (on both systemic and individual levels) but vitriol thrown at Americans, who just had a major form of communication and information dissemination taken away the night before an inauguration, doesn’t serve to solve this issue.

As a queer and disabled American, it was incredibly disappointing that your reaction seems from the outside to be to wholeheartedly to double down rather than to consider why “you’re the problem and you don’t actually matter”, said to people terrified and suffering was harmful and cruel.

one foot in front of the other. one word, one paragraph, one page at a time of stories that speak our experiences, our hearts, our unquashable joy, our resistance. we are here and we have strength in community with each other.