Sara Burlingame’s New Year’s Wish for Us All

Friends-

Last month I was in Salt Lake City attending the Tabernacle Choir’s Christmas concert. The Wasatch Mountains were snow capped, the city was sparkling and earlier that day we had gathered with Equality leaders from Georgia, Florida, Arizona, North Carolina and West Virginia. Amidst the cups of hot cocoa and festive banter were the voices of our hosts, friends from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We had some important conversations about areas that we agreed on and just as importantly, we were very candid about where we do not agree. 

It was simple. And ten years ago, I would have told you that it was a beautiful dream. Too much separated us- faith, gender, sexuality, party affiliation just to get us started. Every ingredient you’d need for a culture war Molotov cocktail was shaken up and lobbed into the mix. And somehow, it not only worked, it was a room full of honest, hard conversations and warmth.

I don’t know an exact formula- how we got from opponents to friends- but I know it had a lot to do with being ok with being uncomfortable. Both sides had to let go of easy assumptions about each other, both sides had to risk the wrath of their friends who were eager to keep the fires of enmity burning. I guess I am saying it took courage.

So that is my New Year’s  wish for you, friends. I wish for you to feel seen and embraced for the courage it takes to be LGBTQ or an ally in Wyoming. Every day there is a new headline about violent, intractable divisions. With questions about the coming election and the Supreme Court we ask how violent and divided our own communities may become. 

We saw that in Rock Springs on New Year’s Eve- the Starling Theater invited the community to come experience a night of Drag, despite the threats and harassment lobbed at them. Myself, Judy and Dennis Shepard and a beautiful mix of grandparents, parents, friends and family all turned out to celebrate together. The Broadway Theater in downtown Rock Springs was bursting at the seams with love and laughter. If you weren’t there- don’t worry. A documentary film about Kenny Starling and his revolutionary troupe will be released next year. We’ll be sure to keep you updated. 

All over Wyoming drag kings and queens have kept liberty alive, one song at a time. I hope that you are celebrating them, TIPPING them, and sharing your appreciation for all they do to keep queer joy and resilience alive.

There is so much we don’t have control over, but our choice to live courageously, to refuse the easy demonization of others, is always ours to give. May you give generously.

With Great Love,
Sara Burlingame