one queer thing: a belated independence day anthem
finding joy in queerness when america feels heavy
hey y'all,
better late than pregnant, right? 😅 welcome to our slightly delayed fourth of july edition of one queer thing.
as they say, timing is everything - especially when it comes to fireworks and newsletter releases.
so here we are, two days post-independence day, and i'm feeling about as conflicted as a vegetarian at a barbecue. between biden stumbling through his first debate, the supreme court seemingly paving the way for trump's dictatorial dreams, and... well, *gestures wildly at everything*, it's been tough to find the spirit to wave that star-spangled banner. i totally get it, believe me.
past queer things: (3) “rebel girl” by bikini hill |(2) allison ponthier | (1) "golden brown" by the stranglers
remember - whenever a queer thing is a song, it’ll get automatically added to the one queer thing spotify playlist, which you can find here.
so, for this belated celebration, let's turn to a hauntingly beautiful queer anthem that embodies the complexities of identity and the quest for true independence: "for today i am a boy" by antony and the johnsons (now known as ANOHNI).
this week’s queer thing: "for today i am a boy" by antony and the johnsons
released in 2005, this track isn't your typical pop banger - it's a raw, vulnerable exploration of gender identity that hits you right in the feels.
with lyrics like "one day i'll grow up, i'll be a beautiful woman," ANOHNI captures the yearning, the pain, and the hope of self-discovery in a way that feels almost too intimate to bear.
in a time when our very existence is being debated in courtrooms and on cable news, "for today i am a boy" reminds us of the deeply personal nature of our struggles. it's a quiet rebellion, a whispered truth that speaks volumes about the queer experience.
so this (belated) independence day, maybe instead of fireworks and parades, we can celebrate by honoring our vulnerabilities, our journeys, and our truths.
put on this song, close your eyes, and remember: your identity is valid, your journey is sacred, and your independence is non-negotiable.
now, i want to hear from you. what lesser-known queer anthems speak to your soul? how do you find freedom in vulnerability? drop your thoughts in the comments - let's get deep and real with each other.
until next time, keep embracing your journey, whatever shape it takes.
stay authentic and stay resilient,
edgard 🧡
p.s. if anyone needs me, i'll be ugly crying to ANOHNI's entire discography while contemplating the true meaning of independence. tell me what you felt hearing this in the comments?