Cole: "Dad! Dad! Are you home already?"
Hank: “I’m in the kitchen. What happened, junior?”
Cole: “I made a friend... I think. But there’s more!”
Cole: "They said it’s because they want to help save the environment, but I think they are wearing paperbags on their heads because they are poor and cannot afford hats!"
Cole: "Like the guitarist you told me about, who stole that celeb's instrument, because she had none."
The next day Hank drove to Ferndale, where the Great Lakes freighters were moored. But the weather wasn't in favour, and so none of the people his son had mentioned was present, no Eustace, no Mr. Wayne and no aunt Lucy.
Even the majestic Jericho, once the pride of the fleet, now five years maximum away from getting decommissioned, was only visible as a faint outline. Without the colorful containers stacked on top, Hank couldn't have told the ship apart from the quay.
"What gives!" the man mumbled. He could make a donation to Ferndale's residents via the official channels.
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@darkmissionary: Black ichor drips from his eyes like ashen tears, wide and almost entranced, but yet unseeing. He moves strangely, answering a siren song for his ears only, a haunting echo of his cognizant self. He stands at the edge of the rooftop, toes mere centimeters from a sheer drop into the Foundation as wintry wind cuts through his loose shirt and other vestments. His hair is a ferocious mane billowing away from his face, arm raised and finger splayed- Reaching out for something in the inky sky flecked with falling snow. [Hi, have some turning Voidsent!Fray]
Snow falls as it ever does ‘neath a moonless sky. No light save for the sickly glow of the lamps below that claw through the gloom, thus no warmth to be had amidst the rooftops of Ishgard. Untouched by the cold, he stands ‘pon the battlements. In the days of eld might these walls have been a matter of pride and inspiration, manned by legendary knights and heroes. Now ‘tis but another monument of the city’s decay, where sections of scorched stone have frozen over while the rest are crumbling away.
A handful of years, mayhap less and he is certain the city would have fallen had his people and those of dragonkind not forged themselves an accord.
But even in peace is there no rest to be had. His enemy now wears the twisted semblance of a friend. And though he allows the wind to scour and bite at his flesh, he remains unmoving as the shadows gather as oil around a man turned monster.
Once more does he feel like a boy again, standing before the still-burning ruins of Ferndale. Back then he’d shattered, incapable of wholly understanding the tragedy that would shape his life. He’d cried and trembled then, pitiful little thing he’d been.
His grip tightens around his lance, Nidhogg’s strength burning through his veins. Why? Why? Why? The boy of twenty years ago had screamed into the arms of Alberic. He looks to Fray and the same question is there now too.
Why?
Why didn’t you listen to me?
He says not a word when he leaps, his world blurring into a wash of red and black.
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Queer Organizations to Support AFTER Pride Month!
Pride Month™️ exists within the bounds of June 1-30. However, we here at The Butters are proud queers 365. So, we waited till after Pride Month™️ to continue the message and awareness of organizations who service queers in need. So, we’ve pulled together a few of our favorites to throw some money at. Most of these are based in our hometown and state cause charity starts at home. Plus, Michigan isn’t exactly a funding mega-site, despite our high queer population. So, your support will go even further!
Ozone House
https://ozonehouse.org/support-us/
My queer youth charity of choice serving Washtenaw County Michigan. According to their website, “Ozone House is a community-based, nonprofit agency that helps young people lead safe, healthy, and productive lives through intensive intervention and prevention services.” Basically, they help keep youth off the streets, support them when couch surfing and when at risk of being separated from their families. Since roughly 40% of homeless youth are queer, this is an issue that touches my heart dearly! Ozone House is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
Ruth Ellis Center
https://www.ruthelliscenter.org/
Serving Detroit. According to their website, “Founded in 1999, Ruth Ellis Center (REC) has established a national reputation for quality and innovation in providing trauma-informed services for lesbian, gay, bi-attractional, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ+) youth, and young adults, with an emphasis on young people of color, experiencing homelessness, involved in the child welfare system, and/or experiencing barriers to health and wellbeing.”
As one of the queer youths who’ve benefitted from their programs, it’s definitely a great place to put your money! Ruth Ellis Center Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) organization
Affirmations
https://goaffirmations.org/
A Ferndale, MI based community center for LGBTQ+ folk. According to their website: Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center was founded in 1989 with a mission to provide a welcoming space where people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and cultures can find support and unconditional acceptance, and where they can learn, grow, socialize and feel safe.” This is a place I’ve visited in my teen years, back when they were just in a basement. I’m happy to see them continue to help the community. Affirmations is a 501 (c) (3) organization.
Equality Michigan (formerly The Triangle Foundation)
https://equalitymi.org/
EQMI is Michigan’s statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) political advocacy organization. Formerly the Triangle Foundation, EQMI has been Michigan’s premiere LGBTQ+ anti-violence and political advocacy organization for over 25 years and counting.
For all the time I’ve been gay in MI, I’ve seen their logo everywhere. They work a lot like the ACLU for queers specifically. EQMI is a 501 (c) (3) organization.
Corktown Health
https://corktownhealth.org/
A Detroit-based medical center serving queers. According to their website: Corktown Health is Michigan’s first clinic dedicated to not only affirming LGBT patient experience and providing high-level care, but to training a new generation of Southeastern Michigan providers who can do the same. Our goal is to transform the way healthcare is delivered and experienced in Southeast Michigan and have a positive impact on LGBT community health.
From my research, Corktown Health is not a 501 (c) (3) organization. But your gifts will be processed through as a 501 (c) (3) organization. Your gift is tax deductible.
BLACK TRANS ADVOCACY COALITION
HTTPS://BLACKTRANS.ORG/
Established in 2011, their stated mission is to help improve the black transgender human experience by overcoming violence and injustice in the world through the power, value, and love of all people! They’re the only social justice organization led by black trans people to collectively address the inequities faced in the black transgender human experience.
The National Black Trans Advocacy Coalition is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed under the law. So, give away! Put money directly in the hands of black trans folks doing werk!
GAYS AND LESBIANS LIVING IN A TRANSGENDER SOCIETY (G.L.I.T.S.)
HTTPS://WWW.GLITSINC.ORG/DONATE
Their work consists of building community, education, creating sustainable living, restoring our marginalized community, and uplifting them with hope through guidance and support. They create jobs and safe spaces for community (GLBTQIA and sex workers), reversing systematic recidivism in the prison system.
While not a non-profit on their own, Project Prosper is their fiscal sponsor, a 501 (c)3 organization, so your donations will be tax-deductible.
BLACK LGBTQIA+ MIGRANT PROJECT (BLMP)
HTTPS://TRANSGENDERLAWCENTER.ORG/PROGRAMS/BLMP
BLMP is providing cash assistance to Black LGBTQ+ migrants and first-generation people dealing with the impact of COVID-19. Beautiful. They’re sponsored by Transgender Law Center a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed under the law.
THE OKRA PROJECT
HTTPS://WWW.ARTSBUSINESSCOLLABORATIVE.ORG/FISCAL-SPONSORSHIP/OKRA-PROJECT
The Okra Project is a collective that seeks to address the global crisis faced by Black Trans people by bringing home cooked, healthy, and culturally specific meals and resources to Black Trans people wherever they can reach them. The Okra Project hires Black Trans chefs to prepare healthy and home-cooked meals for their Black TGNC siblings with no cost. For those Black Trans folks currently experiencing homeless or whose homes cannot support our chef’s cooking, The Okra Project has partnered with institutions like UberEATS, Osborne Association, and other community spaces to deliver food.
Okra believes that food is not only a nourishment, but a gateway to unlimited cultural and social possibilities. By providing Black trans folks with this basic need, Okra makes it possible for their community to pursue their emotional, spiritual, and artistic goals.”
TOP is a program of the Arts Business Collective a 501(c)3 technical assistance and research organization with a mission to improve quality of life for people of color through the arts and STEM.
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