Got a new tattoo to honor and forever remember the chosen family who have saved me from suicide multiple times over the course of my life.
Once upon a fairytale, I began to meet people who helped me reclaim my life and dreams when I thought I was going to die. They showed me we could form a community of people who wanted to change the world, one where we celebrate our differences as strength and help each other become our authentic selves.
Our group nickname is The Muses.
Named for the indomitable goddesses of art, science, and literature, our group is also nicknamed the Muses after 9Muses, my favorite Kpop group. When I was in the shower and couldn’t stand, listening to that group and knowing they went through a lot yet bonded more tightly helped me stand and get through my day.
Each Muse has a nickname representing what they inspire in others, such as Love, who taught us how to love openly, that love comes in so many forms, and that love can save lives.
These friends embody the power of community to stop suicide. Thoughts of my sister stopped me from going further with my suicide attempt in high school after bullying had started in 7th grade. The knowledge that my new friends were just down the hall and maybe I could survive stopped me from going further with my second attempt after getting rejected from a fraternity at the start of MIT for being openly gay and failing my first exams (actual Fs) because I developed panic attacks.
I haven’t had a suicide attempt since. I am who I am to honor them, you all, myself, my family, the kids I work with whom I love, and our world.
Huge s/o to , who got his nips pierced as I got my tattoo, and is someone I deeply admire for his kind heart, advocacy, and so many other reasons.
Thank you @rigershstrange for the beautiful tattoo.
I’m forever your Dream. I love you all.
I’m forever your Dream. I love you all.