#ChosenFamily

[itgetsbetter]

🏳️‍🌈 Chosen Family Holi-Gay Stream was precious! 🏳️‍⚧️

If you want to celebrate the holiday season with some chosen family in a safe space, we got you - on last week's ep of Perfectly Queer, Blizz and Ashley chatted with special guests about holiday traditions, tips for surviving those uncomfortable family dinners, fave holiday foods, what they're thankful for this year, and of course, the importance of chosen family IRL and online.

Would love if y'all reblogged for queer youth who might need a little escape from the holidays so they can see how things get better. 💜

Watch what you missed + all the previous episodes from this season on Youtube.

[thejoyoffriendship]

IG: @annas_sweets_and_stories

[hada-lesbiana]

‘blood is thicker than water’ may be scientifically accurate, but analogically it could not be more false

[tripstitan]

Some Chap. Art Previews

A chapter releasing in about 16 hours is titled Gargoyles Gears. Gee, can ya guess why? Heh. It'll be over on Royalroad free at 16:00 Central US time. (Unless daylight savings time stuff is happening, in which case I have no idea what time it is.) As usual, chapter art is just what I can whip up with some effort between other tasks using various LLMs available to me, either Dalle3 like these ones, or Stable Diffusion locally, or Midjourney. I've been working on learning Markdown and doing some things to try to set up a wiki for AAoMM, since it's nearing two million words, and... really needs some organized note structure somewhere. Like, holy crap. You guys have no idea how much of my note process is literally just me rereading my entire series over and over as if I was doing constant cram sessions. It's at the point where it takes 100 hours to reread everything that I've published/posted so far. I remember when I used to spend that much time on a single videogame... in a week. Okay I'm slightly exaggerating. Anyway, it's a bit time consuming (but I love it. But even I can admit I need to be more efficient.)

[sbailem]

Put up family photos on the wall... to be clear, my found family not the relatives.

I'd been fussing over a proper way to put them up, but eventually just settled recently on ordering some adhesive clips. Perfect is the enemy of good.

There's now a nice spread of family photos on the wall, and it makes me feel loved. These weren't people born into a family with me... these are all people who chose to call me family. It takes up so much space on the wall and it might not do much for other people, for me it drastically brightens up the space just glancing over seeing the faces of the people I love and who love me.

#SelfCare #Family #ChosenFamily

[valdetselimaj]

How to Navigate a Volatile Political Climate with Self-Care

Feeling overwhelmed by the political climate as an LGBTQ+ person? You're not alone! Studies have shown a correlation between political discrimination and increased mental health issues within marginalized communities. Here’s how to protect your peace.

The political climate can profoundly impact mental health, particularly for marginalized communities such as gay men and LGBTQ+. This was especially true not only with the election year that just passed, but we also are experiencing with what is to come with President-elect Trump taking office again next week. There is no way around this: the next few years are going be hard for us. I have…

[latina-1986]

It's crazy how growing up family is everything, and where you find strength, but as we get older that same families sometimes become enemies that you wish you could erase.

Do you try to get that family strength back or stay with family

Faith has chosen for you?

[stingscustom]

This Valentine’s Day, celebrate your chosen family with our **Ohana Pride Pin Button**! Embrace the beauty of Polyamory, ADHD, and Neurodiversity. A meaningful gift for your loved ones or for yourself, it symbolizes connection and unity. Show your support—who in your ohana will you share this with? Order now before they’re gone!

[harmonyhealinghub]

The Adopted Heart Shaina Tranquilino November 25, 2024

Isabella had always been a curious child, with eyes the colour of stormy skies and a laugh that could burst through the quietest of rooms. She lived in a cozy house on Oak Street with her parents, Maria and Luis Alvarez, who always filled her world with stories, warmth, and the kind of joy that wraps around a heart and makes it beat a little stronger.

But one afternoon, when the sun lay lazily across the worn wooden floors and the scent of warm vanilla cookies drifted from the kitchen, Isabella’s world shifted. She found an old photo album tucked at the back of a dusty closet, its cover worn and its spine bent. The pages whispered stories she had never been told—pictures of a newborn wrapped in a blanket not yet frayed by time, cradled in the arms of strangers. Her breath caught, and she felt a strange, sharp ache in her chest.

When Maria walked in and saw the album open on Isabella's lap, a tender sadness passed over her face. She sat down beside her daughter, smoothing the pages with hands that had always known how to comfort.

“Isabella, mi amor,” Maria began, her voice low and steady. “There is something we should have shared with you long ago. You are adopted. Your father and I wanted you to know when the time was right, but maybe today is that day.”

The room seemed to shrink, its walls pressing close as questions rushed in—Why hadn’t they told her? Who were the people in the photos? Would her heart ever feel the same? But as she looked at Maria, with her kind eyes shimmering with worry, a glimmer of something else sparked within Isabella: the need to understand.

The following days were filled with stories that Maria and Luis wove late into the night. They told her of a stormy evening when a young couple had come to them, overwhelmed by circumstances that love alone could not mend. They spoke of the sleepless nights, not of uncertainty, but of hope as they prepared for a child they hadn’t expected but already adored.

“We loved you the moment we knew you were coming into our lives,” Luis said, his voice thick with emotion. “You were our heart, even before we met you.”

Isabella’s eyes, once sharp with confusion, softened as she listened. She began to see not just what they had given her—a home filled with laughter, the simple comfort of bedtime stories, countless moments made precious—but what they had chosen to sacrifice. They worked extra hours at the bakery, skipped vacations, and turned every celebration into a way to show her the depth of their love.

One evening, she stood in the kitchen, the same warm scent of vanilla filling the air. She watched Maria press dough into perfect circles, and without hesitation, Isabella walked over and slipped her arms around her mother’s waist.

“I get it now,” she whispered. Maria’s hands stilled, flour clinging to her fingers, and she turned with tears brimming in her eyes.

“You do?” she asked.

“Yes. I may not have known from the start, but I know now. You’re my family. You always were.”

The room felt different then—lighter, fuller. Isabella wasn’t the same as she was before, but neither was she lost. She had uncovered a truth she hadn’t expected, yet it made the love surrounding her all the more precious.

In the days that followed, Isabella flipped through the old photo album often, but now it felt like an introduction rather than a mystery. Each page told not just of where she had come from, but of who had caught her when she first arrived and never let her go. And for that, she was endlessly grateful, for she now knew that love, once given freely, was hers to carry forever.

[fight-4-my-life]

Happy Thanksgiving...

To all who celebrate! Not my picture, but my cousin did cook a tasty meal! Holiday seasons can be a source of joy for many people; it is a time to be thankful for everything we have in life, a time for being with our families and friends, and a break from work or school for many. This time of year can also be really difficult for many people. Many people are struggling financially and don’t…

[itgetsbetter]

🏳️‍🌈 If you need a safe space to celebrate the holidays (holi-gays?) we got you! 🏳️‍⚧️

We know the holiday season can sometimes be rough for LGBTQ+ folks, especially if you're dealing with unaccepting family or tough situations.

So consider this your invite - Thursday, Dec 14, we're hosting our Chosen Family stream - Join our hosts Ashley and Blizz plus special guests AllGoldQueen, DataDave, ItsIanWatson, and Whinnaay for our final 2023 episode of Perfectly Queer!

We'll have a cozy chat about (surviving) the holiday season, your own traditions, and the importance of chosen family.

Get cozy, bring a snack, and join our safe space to celebrate together - reblog to spread the word so everyone knows they have a safe space to celebrate!

See you in chat Thursday, Dec 14 at 3pm ET/6pm PT: twitch.tv/itgetsbetter

[thejoyoffriendship]

Credit: @tinyflowerclub on Instagram

Your friendships deserve space beyond the sidelines of romance! 💚🖤🤍

[manojnaironline]

Describe a family member

I would describe a family member as someone who cares for you—not because of your achievements or the balance in your bank account, but simply because they value you. A friend, guide, and philosopher, who offers wisdom and a steady shoulder to lean on in times of crisis. The sturdy hand that reaches out to lift you when you’re sinking, and the smiling face across the table, always cheering for…

[tripstitan]

wait wait pardon me, youre writing a web novel?? thats so cool!!!!! i saw one of your posts when i was scrolling so. i got curious-

Totes! It's up to 6000 pages already according to the analytics over on RoyalRoad, where it's hosted for free. At least, if you count the 116 page prologue that i separated out, lol. Hopefully if you decide to pick it up, you have plenty of fun reading it for a long time to come, it's a heck of a ride with the whole gamut of emotions. AAoMM is definitely my pride and joy. All I want to do is share it with more people, because it's so many things at once, that I'm sure it can be a lot of things to a lot of different people who need it. (I mean, as an aroace myself, I don't see a lot of us as protags... y'know? Let alone have a large cast of agendered characters/other Q and A characters.)

I've got a bunch more chapters in the queue to title and post for the rest of the month already, and November is a month I always buckle down and churn out a ton of content, so there's only ever more. At least until the end of "Book 9" (Really I should be calling them volumes at this point. Book 6 is over 1300 pages long and has another 400-1400 more pages to go. I can't believe I thought I could fit this whole arc into Book 5 along with another arc I had cut out, lol.)

(Son of a gun, apparently, Tumblr puts an href.li in front of every link, grrr, yeah, it might show up as a dead link if you don't delete that. The full link is below)

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/50464/an-age-of-mysterious-memories

[noisycowboyglitter]

The Daddy's Boy Phenomenon: Insights from the LGBT Community

"Daddy’s Boy" is a term often used within the LGBTQ+ community, particularly in gay culture, to describe a dynamic between a younger man and an older male figure, typically characterized by an affectionate, often playful relationship. This term can encompass a variety of meanings, from romantic partnerships to more platonic or mentorship-based connections.

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In many contexts, "Daddy’s Boy" signifies a nurturing bond where the older partner, often referred to as "Daddy," provides guidance, support, and care, while the younger partner embodies traits like youthfulness, playfulness, and sometimes a certain level of dependence. This dynamic can be explored in various media, including literature, art, and film, showcasing the complexities of relationships that transcend traditional age norms.

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For many, identifying as a "Daddy’s Boy" can also reflect broader themes within the gay community, such as acceptance, self-exploration, and the celebration of diverse identities and relationships. Through this lens, the term invites discussions about power dynamics, affection, and the importance of finding one’s place within the LGBTQ+ tapestry. Ultimately, "Daddy’s Boy" captures the essence of love and connection that resonates deeply within the community, celebrating varied expressions of masculinity and intimacy.

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Hunting for the perfect present for your fabulous LGBTQ+ friends? Look no further! Funny gifts for gays celebrate queer culture with a hearty dose of humor. Think witty slogan t-shirts featuring iconic drag queen quotes or playful pride flag-inspired home decor. Rainbow-colored kitchen gadgets add a pop of fun to any culinary adventure. Novelty mugs with cheeky LGBTQ+ puns make for delightful coffee companions. Quirky board games centered around queer pop culture references promise hours of laughter-filled

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entertainment. For the fashion-forward, consider accessories like sassy pins or colorful socks with humorous queer motifs. Hilarious self-help parody books tailored for the gay experience offer both giggles and relatable content. The key is finding items that embrace and celebrate queer identity with clever, lighthearted flair – gifts that will surely bring a smile to any gay friend's face.

[brigittas-writing-nook]

Writing Prompt Exercise: When Happiness Happens

I wrote about my "writing prompt exercise" in my welcome post, and here is another one! It talks about compersion, which occurs when you feel joy in someone else's happiness. Enjoy.

Writing prompt

The moment compersion happens

Writing prompt exercise

I walked up to the house, excited. My cousin from Pennsylvania was visiting family here in Indiana, and I had driven up to Kokomo to see them. She rounded the corner of the house just as I stepped onto the house’s steps. “Hey, Cuz,” she said softly, her eyes soft and her smile wide. We hugged each other close. It felt so good to see her. We chatted as we walked around the house to the backyard. A few pop-up tents were set up over the food and seating. I quickly set up the chair I had brought and went to get food. A mutual friend of ours was coming up with her family, as well. While we all met in college, Belle (my cousin) and ‘Chelle (our friend; yes, the rhyme has amused us all in the past) met and became friends before I came onto the scene. However, over the years, Belle and her family eventually moved to Pennsylvania, while ‘Chelle’s family had moved around before settling back in Indiana. Since then, we have become much closer. I have struggled with jealousy my whole life, so I was a tad mildly concerned about how I would feel about them seeing each other. I also wasn’t proud of that feeling. Belle turned around and yelled, “Michelle!” and ran over to ‘Chelle as she and the family rounded the corner. ‘Chelle picked up the pace and ran towards my cousin, where they met in a tight embrace. I could see from where I was sitting that their faced beamed joyfully. When I learned about compersion years later, I realized this was the first time I had felt it. I wasn’t jealous about their joy. I was happy!

Purpose of this prompt I wrote about why I'm doing this exercise in a separate post. But what purpose does this writing prompt exercise serve? Well, it serves three purposes by: - Keeping me in the practice of writing. - Helping generate story ideas. - Offering you sneak peeks into what I might be working on next. This piece is raw and unedited. I have made no changes from the words I wrote long-hand in my notebook. Why would I do that? Because I want to show y'all that what you write doesn't have to be perfect the first time. Don't let perfect get in the way of getting things done. Listen to GraphicAudio award-winning audiobook entertainment including full cast dramatizations, cinematic music and sound effects

Got any ideas for writing prompts you would like to see me use in a writing prompt exercise? Drop them in the comments. I can always use new ideas. Also, if you want to support me, visit my Patreon or Buy me a Coffee. I like coffee; it keeps me going. Patreon That's all for now. Stay fabulous, y'all! Read the full article