In the face of a world that often feels heavy with sorrow and struggle, celebrating Transgender Awareness Week becomes not just an act of acknowledgment, but a beacon of hope. At Momotaro Apotheca hope we believe is the very essence that fuels our resilience. As the brilliant Toni Morrison once said, "This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal." And as a business, as community, and as friends, this is what we will do. 

Let's heal together

So, let us use our voices, our words, and our actions to heal. In the spirit of the indomitable Harvey Milk, who declared, "Hope will never be silent," let us be unapologetically loud in our hope. Celebrate today and every day, be it in the clothes we wear to the families we create. These very pieces of our lives are what create hope. And it's with this we know, that hope is not a passive sentiment; it is a call to action, a reminder that our struggles are not in vain, that the arc of the moral universe, though long, bends towards justice. - Martin Luther King.

As a queer person, often confused and conflicted in my own journey, I understand the weight of the world on our shoulders. But it is precisely in the face of adversity that our community has shone the brightest. Transgender folks, in particular, have been at the forefront of this battle for acceptance, authenticity, and equality since the first bricks were thrown at Stonewall. Their courage and resilience teach us that even in the darkest of times, there is a flicker of light that refuses to be extinguished.

During this past Transgender Awareness Week and today on Transgender day of remembrance, let us shed the weight of ignorance, prejudice, and discrimination. Let us rise, like the phoenix from the ashes, and embrace the beauty of our diverse tapestry.

Let us uplift one another, support our transgender siblings, and amplify their voices. In doing so, we not only honor their struggles but contribute to the creation of a world where authenticity is celebrated, diversity is cherished, and love knows no boundaries.

In the words of Harvey Milk, "All young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential." Let us be the architects of such an environment. Let us sow the seeds of hope, nurture them with love, and watch as they grow into a garden of acceptance.

Remember even queer existence is an act of rebellion, our visibility a testament to our strength. In the face of adversity, let us stand tall, proud, and unyielding. For it is through our collective resilience and unwavering hope that we will not only survive but thrive.

Happy Transgender Day of remembrance, and may the flame of hope burn brightly in each and every one of our hearts.