One scream alone is a just a whisper

Over the last decade, what came to be known as woke culture helped reshape the social landscape. Queer realities entered the public discourse and reached mainstream culture. But, as with any kind of progress, there has been a conservative backlash. Woke culture is wounded. Is the injury fatal? That depends on us.

Wokeness is a polarizing term. And yes, it’s true – performative activism may be useless. But silence is much more dangerous. So, why have we dialed down our tone? Is silence a symptom of privilege? Is it a coping mechanism?

There may be more than one motive. But whatever the cause, the consequence is the same: remaining silent leaves a wide gateway open for far-right thinking to advance. The perfect Trojan horse.

That’s why we need to be loud. Be queer. Be unapologetic.

Anything but silent.

One may think we have become victims of the nonchalance epidemic. That activism does not fit our perfectly curated Instagram feeds. That we are too cool to care.

And, although in a few – and privileged – cases this may be true, there is a much more complex reality behind it. Often, it has to do with exhaustion. We are tired and emotionally drained.

Queer people spend their whole lives fighting. Against the norm. Against an imposed binary system. Against verbal and physical aggressions or self-inflicted guilt. And that is not only unfair, but also extremely exhausting.

This phenomenon has been studied: it’s called Queer Battle Fatigue. The term was introduced by Boni Wozolek and later developed in collaboration with David Lee Carlson. However, it draws inspiration from the earlier concept “Black Queer Fatigue” by Dr. William A. Smith – may this reference serve as a reminder that the LGBTQIA+ fight needs to be intersectional.

Happiness can be political. Rage is a catalyst for change (would this article even exist without the Stonewall Riots?). But exhaustion doesn’t require any agency. It transforms us into passive subjects. Into utter silence. And that’s the system’s wet dream.

So, what’s the solution? Simple: collective action. And no, collectivizing doesn’t mean turning ourselves into a homogeneous mass – may we all wear the rainbow flag with our own complex, personal grays. It’s about having a strong infrastructure so everyone, regardless of their circumstance, is safe.

An unstoppable political force.

And a relentless support network.

A safe space for those in need.

And a voice for those on the frontlines.

Protective.

But determined.

Nurturing.

But fierce.

Happy – and combative – Pride.