Re: Orlando news, for the record

[balsamandash]

I didn't say anything before because I usually don't when things happen, but I feel like I need to make the disclaimer.

Look, I am a queer person two hours away from Orlando. I am pretty open about my queerness, I just moved in with my partner, I have been to Pride events in Tampa/St Pete area a few times, I've been to Orlando regularly, and while I've never really considered doing nightclubs, I've considered doing other LGBT events around there.

Orlando has me kind of fucked up right now, and I'm not really going to be talking about it in public, replying if other people bring it up, or really interacting with the news in any way.

I promise lack of visible reaction is not lack of caring, but I just can't handle it.

Comments

[finch]

<3

[balsamandash]

<333

Yes...

[ysabetwordsmith]

Wow, those fish are really dead.

It's okay when you don't feel up to emoting in public. Plenty of other people are covering that base!

[balsamandash]

They're getting a little more undead now, which is nice, but they were pretty damn dead for a while.

Yeah, this is true. And I generally don't interact with news and current events much in public, to be honest, but it felt strange just going completely quiet about it when it's this close to me.

[ysabetwordsmith]

>>They're getting a little more undead now, which is nice, but they were pretty damn dead for a while.<<

I'm glad it's getting better.

>>Yeah, this is true. And I generally don't interact with news and current events much in public, to be honest, <<

That's understandable.

>> but it felt strange just going completely quiet about it when it's this close to me. <<

On the contrary, that's a reason why you're hit harder and less able to respond. Look up community trauma. It can affect people who lived in or near the affected area (i.e. Orlando area) and/or those who share identity with the people affected (other queerfolk).

I actually have a poem on this topic. "Renewing a Sense of Community" features a group therapy session shortly after a terrorist attack. No fatalities, but it was a ghastly situation and everyone is freaked. Anyhow, if you look in the notes section under the poem, some of those resources might be helpful to you.

[worlds_of_smoke]

-offers hugs- You're under no obligation to say anything and, if someone tells you otherwise, tell them to fuck themselves.

[balsamandash]

*many, many hugs* Thankfully, no one did, but it's good to be reminded that it's true.

[petra]

It is not your responsibility to spend energy outwardly on this. Please take care of yourself and your partner. *hugs*

[balsamandash]

<3 I'm working on that part. We're both doing a little better now, at least, so. Thank you. *many hugs*

[silveradept]

You can respond if you feel ready, and not a moment before. Shit like this is traumatizing for many more people than just the ones who were there.

[balsamandash]

Very, very true. Being this close to it made it feel strange to keep quiet, but man, sometimes it's just too much. <3 Thank you.

[bookblather]

I'm with you on the can't handle it sometimes. *hugs* We can hang around somewhere comfortable together.

[balsamandash]

Bad brains and a bad world are just not a manageable combination sometimes. We can absolutely do that. *hugs*