A week ago, a prominent gay rights lawyer and environmental activist killed himself in Prospect Park (a ten minute walk from my house). He set himself on fire using gasoline as a symbol of the fossil fuels that are essentially burning up our planet. He wrote an email to the New York Times saying, “Pollution … Continue reading Why are we not all killing ourselves?

I want to share a story. This is not a story about rape or sexual assault or harassment and it's not meant to be equated with countless horrifying stories I've heard from friends and family of all genders. In the context of my own experiences, I don't even count this story among my own sexual … Continue reading Not saying no ≠ “fuck yeah!”

I gasped audibly when I rushed out of the turnstiles at the 34th St. station - not because I was late to class and had just run up the stairs but because the long underground corridor connecting Herald Square and 7th Ave was lined with homeless people. I walk through this passage several mornings a … Continue reading Scene from a New York Morning

  When my parents' marriage began to unravel, I was in 5th grade. I had always been a mature kid, but even 10 years old is pretty young to become a frequent caretaker of younger siblings, which is what happened when there weren't two parents at home balancing responsibilities. Don't get me wrong: my parents … Continue reading Does life happen to me or for me?

When I traveled out of the country for the first time, I expected everything to feel radically different. I expected to land in a place that would feel new and strange. People would be so different, I would be so different. I couldn't wait to be surprised! Indeed, I was surprised when I stepped off the plane and I … Continue reading What did I learn about revolution from Standing Rock?

I'm supposed to be in Texas right now. I can almost see in my mind's eye the scene from which I am missing: the living room of my grandmother's house where my aunts and uncles and siblings and cousins are celebrating the new year together. I can see the matching Christmas stockings hanging on the … Continue reading Vulnerability as strength

Leo and I are going to break up. At least, we're both pretty sure that we are. We have been since the magical day we first kissed in Central Park. And, have been for two-and-a-half years. Now, before you worry your pretty little heads: Leo and I are still going strong. Our relationship delights and … Continue reading Thinking outside the relationship box

Now that we're in a New Year, I'm sure that many of us are thinking about what we'd like to let go. What do you want to let go of? Fear? Insecurity? Shame? Get rid of the bad stuff, right? Well, duh. Why should we get any points for letting go of stuff that we … Continue reading Letting go is good, right?

I should tell you that I didn't just get back from a week of protesting and fighting for justice at Standing Rock. I was on a meditation retreat, a retreat during which I arose with the sun for morning prayers and walked in mindful prayer the rest of the day, while chopping and serving food … Continue reading Enlightenment is a group effort.

We mustn't let down our guard. That black snake is not going to back down easily. I feel something in my gut... I'm not rejoicing just yet... There are VERY powerful people with a LOT of money who want to see this go through. Even if we've won this battle and Energy Transfer Partners actually … Continue reading Heal the whole body