As I sit here writing this sentence, there is a cool, hollow feeling in my chest. I feel like I have personally lost someone close to me. Fortunately I am not mourning the loss of someone I know. I am mourning the loss of fictional character, Candy Ferocity, from the FX series, Pose. I am mourning Candy’s death because Candy represents those of us who have been told that we’re expendable, that we don’t matter. Candy’s very existence is a defiant act of self-love in a world th

My last serious relationship ended eight years ago, and to this day, I feel no rush to be someone’s girlfriend or wife. It has taken me years to admit this to myself and say it out loud to others. Preaching self-love is one thing, but actually walking in that truth every day is another. The closest I ever got to falling in love was with my ex. Let’s call him “Will.” He had a stable career, was caring, and was ardent in his pursuit of me. Or so I thought. I should have seen t