What it is

Happy June from me, a literal corporation®

I guess I wish a lot? Or hope? Or want? What I mean to say is that in the midst of hardship and complication (personal, universal, both) I continue to hold onto the idea that all of us deserve so much more.

In these times (euphemism for political climate) we’re seeing rights rolled back, doors closed, and screws tightened on those who already have it the hardest. I believe that there’s no excuse for suffering in the richest country in the world, and I don’t forget to point my blame finger up, not down, the chain of command.

June is Pride Month nationally, but here in Honolulu, Pride is mid-October. So on June 1st, instead of (just) changing my logo to rainbow, I took a minute to actually think about what it all means. Again, “in these times.” After some thought, here is what I think it is:

It is What It Is, and I am hopeful these words might do some good. They are available as a print in three sizes and eight colors, and 20% of proceeds will support the Hawai'i Health & Harm Reduction Center.

The Hawai‘i Health & Harm Reduction Center serves Hawai‘i communities by reducing the harm and fighting the stigma of HIV, hepatitis, homelessness, substance use, mental illness, and poverty in our community. We focus our efforts on those disproportionately affected by social determinants of health, including but not limited to: people living with and/or affected by HIV, hepatitis, substance use, and the transgender, LGBQ and the Native Hawaiian communities. We foster health, wellness, and systemic change in Hawai‘i and the Pacific through care services, advocacy, training, prevention, education, and capacity building.

Everything is always changing but I am grateful to sit in this moment as the happiest version of myself yet – a combination of wishing, willpower, luck, love, and support – and it feels so good to be here. No part of me is afraid that if others have the same chances, I might lose mine. In fact, it feels certain that the only way to preserve joy is to create a path to it for others. All others.

I really don’t know what comes next so I am doing what I can in my little world and invite you to do the same, however makes sense for you.

Sending love,

Adam