Like a Tree That’s Planted by the Water

-middle, By Daniel

[Middle passed this wonderful testimony along, saying…]

“My friend Daniel is an inspiration to me.  He’s my co-organizer of the Middle Tennessee OUTsiders, a queer and allies outdoor group,  part of the Nashville Faerie circle as Blanca, and serves the Music City Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence as Sister Deca L'Etage.  Yesterday he chose the occasion of Bastille Day to honor himself and his larger family (blood and otherwise) by coming out to them via Facebook with this, his own declaration of independence.  His tree is planted by deep waters indeed. – middle”

Like a Tree That's Planted by the Water

by Daniel Meney

To my family and friends,

Before the first year of my "adulthood" is over

and while it is still Bastille Day, there is something

I would like to share with you.

I want to tell you what my heart and in turn my mouth

hands have born achingly in silence for twenty years.

I am queer.

I would have told you before now, but through many selfish acts of 

self-preservation it was easier to lie. Now I am moving away from

this economy and culture of fear to one of unconditional love.

A very special person has helped me in this great endeavor.

He has kept my heart, body and mind in the sacred space

that is love for a couple years now. His name is Nicholas.

Many others have helped me along the way. I wouldn't know how 

to love myself the way I am without the love and support of my 

'chosen' family here: friends from my years spent in missions, 

friends from college, and friends from the Radical Faeries, 

especially the NashFae.

I didn't have to come out to all of you. I've been out in Nashville

for several years now and am very comfortable in my own skin, 

but I see a need for those who live in perpetual fear of 

everything, from Muslims to homosexuals, 

to not be babied any more.

This is for them.

Also, here are a few other no-less-small parts of myself

that I want to tell you about:

I am an anarchist, communist and capitalist (in that order).

I am a human being.

I am not afraid.

I will not be moved.

Happy Bastille Day!

Daniel
[photographed above, by Joy McKenzie]

If you have any thoughts or questions, please feel free to

comment.  Please refrain from being theatrical.

There's already enough drama in the world.

It doesn't need adding to.