As Queer Wrath Month draws to a close, it’s time to unleash your fury.
For those unfamiliar, “wrath month” is a term that was popularized on Twitter in July 2018 to protest the corporatization of LGBTQ+ Pride Month. It’s a time to let your anger out and fight back against the systems attempting to harm our communities. It’s a complete and utter rejection of watered-down Pride campaigns and an embrace of the rage at the roots of the queer liberation movement.
This year’s Wrath Month comes at a particularly dire time, as the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights reaches a fever pitch. From the Supreme Court’s overturning Roe v. Wade, to the ongoing epidemic of violence against Black trans women, to the federal government’s mishandling of the monkeypox outbreak, to the continued legislative attack against trans youth, there is just so much to be absolutely rabid about.
One way to keep your head above water is to let yourself feel your queer wrath in all of its sacred power. It’s important to know how to let your anger out in a way that isn’t harmful to yourself or your loved ones. We’ve compiled a list of ways to release your rage this month; from physical expressions of emotion like mosh pits and dance parties, to private displays of anger like screaming into your Squishmallows, to channeling your rage into protest.
Your anger and wrath are magical, boo. Welcome to Queer Wrath Month. Remember to make it count.
Jump into a Queer Mosh Pit
If you need somewhere to release your pent-up outrage, may I kindly suggest slamming against 50 other queer people while loud music blares? Mosh pits give you the opportunity to physically exercise your anger in a safe way, all while building cool queer community and listening to good music. Moshing is literally meant for exactly this; finding the joy and euphoria in rage.
Have a dance party in your room
Don’t have a pit at your disposal? No worries. Gather a group of your friends, clear out someone’s yard or living room, and pop on your favorite music to rage to. Perhaps our Queer Wrath Month playlist could set the tone.
Pissed but have nothing and nobody to safely hit? What better way to let out your rage than cranking some hyperpop at full blast and throwing your body around your bedroom. The combination of bass, a fast beat, and sonic overload will melt away your other senses and suspend you in a trancelike state of jubilant rage. Put on some hits from iconic artists like SOPHIE, Rico Nasty, or 100 Gecs, and go absolutely wild. Just make sure you secure the breakable trinkets on your dresser and collection of half-empty seltzer cans on your bedside table beforehand.
Go to a rage room with your favorite group of queer cuties
Rage rooms say it all with their name; they were designed as a perfect activity for anyone looking to express some wrath. For those unaware of these delightfully intense businesses, rage rooms are spaces you can rent that are filled with breakable objects like printers, vases, and TVs. Once inside, you get to smash, crush, and break anything you choose. Nothing like imagining a transphobe and throwing an entire dining set at a wall to calm your soul.
Scream into your Squishmallow
Sometimes, the only thing you can do to feel better about the state of things is screaming as loud as you can, but with the cost of housing these days most of us are sharing walls with at least one other person. Let out your anguish by yelling into a soft, brightly-colored friend; a Squishmallow, if you will, though any stuffed animal will do. The bonus to muffling your cry with a fuzzy, polyester pal means you have someone to cry into afterward. Honoring your rage can also mean allowing yourself to be soft after releasing it.
Attend a protest or demonstration
For those looking to turn their anger into action, there are plenty of ways to get involved. One of the most obvious and popular options is attending a protest. Remember that your queer fury is powerful. Using your body to show up for your community and express solidarity is a meaningful gesture. Protests show those in power that they have an entire sea of people they’ll have to go through first if they want to marginalize us.
Before attending, keep a few things in mind. Review our safety guidelines for protests and remember that just because you’re angry does not mean you should antagonize police, especially if you’re a white person attending demonstrations where other people are more likely to suffer from the consequences of your actions.
Raise Money for Local Abortion Funds
Using your wrath for change doesn’t always mean attending a demonstration. It can also mean channeling your energy into providing resources for those doing crucial work. Reproductive justice advocates have urged people to donate to local abortion funds following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. If you want to go beyond making a contribution yourself, you can actively help raise funds for abortion access organizations on social media and by directly messaging friends and family who have resources to redistribute.
Protect trans kids
The onslaught of anti-trans legislation has been unrelenting. As local primary elections draw near, conservatives are targeting trans youth in particular as scapegoats. It’s more critical than ever to protect trans children in whatever way you can. Advocates says contacting legislators, working with local organizations that support trans youth, and donating to mutual aid funds for trans people are all ways to use your rage for good.
Say #LandBack
As a Native person, nothing fills me with rage quite like colonization and all of its implications. Good thing there of plenty of ways I can use my hallowed queer Quechua anger. Ultimately, we need to collectively say Land Back to liberate us all; indigenous land needs to be returned to indigenous people. There are several ways you can engage with Land Back: You can discuss the movement on social media, raise funds for organizers doing this work, and educate yourself about Native sovereignty struggles in places like Turtle Island and Abya Yala.
Abolish the police
Nothing says Wrath Month like saying ACAB and fighting to abolish the police. Crack open some abolitionist texts like Christopher Soto’s Diaries of a Terrorist, support anti-racist organizations who have been doing this work for years, donate to these bail funds, and feel your rage.
Ultimately, Wrath Month is about giving yourself permission to feel your queer rage in all of its glory. Don’t hold back friend, appreciate your own power!
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