Inclusion and diversity are deeply rooted within our culture at Antser. Providing an inclusive environment across the group is therefore at the forefront of everything we do and part of our mission to provide better outcomes for children, adults, families and communities. February marks the celebration of LGBT+ History Month, and what better way to share our support and encompass 2021’s theme ‘Body, Mind, Spirit’ than with a poem by one of our independent social workers, Thelma Jones?
MISS PRIM & PROPER
I AM ONE WITH THE STARS, THE MOON, THE UNIVERSE.
I AM FOREVER ETERNAL, TO EMBRACE THE MISFITS.
THE MISUNDERSTOOD, THE DIVERSE:
@MISS PRIM & PROPER.
INSIDE MY HEAD I AM VIBRANT! FULL OF EXPANSIVE DREAMS AND PRISMS.
TWIRLING, SWIRLING FRILLY FROCKS, OH IF THEY GET ANY FRILIER I WILL BE GIDDY!
BUT I AM ALSO OVERCOME WITH FEAR AND PAIN, AND KNOW THERE ARE NO FLOWERS WITHOUT THE RAIN.
@MISS PRIM & PROPER.
ON THE OUTSIDE I AM HE! A SON! A BROTHER! A BOY!
IN THE MIDST OF MY NON-BINARY CRAFT, I ENGAGE IN MY OWN GIRLY JOY!
I’M NOT GAY I SAY? BUT I’M REALLY NOT!
@MISS PRIM & PROPER.
FOR I AM GENDER NEUTRAL, I TELL YOU!
I LIKE THE COLOUR PINK, AND FRILLY, SILLY SOCKS.
AND JUST BECAUSE I ENJOY GIRLY CLOTHES, PLEASE DON’T CHOP OFF MY CURLY LOCKS.
WHO AM I? WHAT AM I? I SEE YOU SAY!
@MISS PRIM & PROPER.
DOES ANYONE UNDERSTAND THIS LONELY ROAD I STRAY?
I FEEL DISCOMFORT IN MORTALS’ EYES, WHEN THEY LOOK AT ME,
AND SOMEHOW LOWER THEIR GAZE WITH SADNESS AND DISMAY.
PLEASE DON’T LOOK AWAY. PLEASE SEE ME, I SAY.
@MISS PRIM & PROPER.
‘ALAS’ OH TO BE FREE! TO BE TRULY FREE.
I AM NOW WITH MY PEACE, IN MY SPACE, IN MY GLEE.
SWIRLS OF LIGHT AND TWINKLY STARS, BEAUTIFUL DRESSES, BOWS AND BRAS!
@MISS PRIM & PROPER.
By Thelma Jones, Independent Social Worker