June 2022

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Today marks 53 years since the Stonewall Uprising, a turning point in Queer history and the roots that grew into today's corporate sponsored colorful Pride celebrations. On June 28th, 1969, in NYC's Greenwich Village, the Stonewall Inn was raided by police, a common occurrence for gay & lesbian bars during a time when it was illegal to be LGBTQIA2S+, when wearing clothing that was not considered the appropriate gender was a punishable crime. Before Stonewall, LGBTQIA2S+ folks were violently arrested, abused and harassed on a regular basis for simply being themselves. But on this day in 1969, patrons of Stonewall Inn and the surrounding neighborhood fought back and continued protesting, paving the way for modern LGBTQIA2S+ rights and Pride celebrations across the country. I'm grateful to exist in my Queer and gender expansive wholeness in relative peace today, knowing the relentless injustice that many of my elders and ancestors endured on these same streets and even in some of the same bars. During this month, I like to acknowledge leaders and activists such as Sylvia Rivera, Marsha P Johnson, Stormé DeLarverie and Leslie Feinberg. And there are so many others who have stories to share and many who have since become ancestors. On this day I want to acknowledge all the Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (QTBIPOC) who have always been on the frontlines leading the path towards liberation. This is not the kind of history we learn in school. These are the important stories shared from friends, lovers, mentors and most importantly, those just over a a decade older than me who either lived these experiences first hand or wrote about them or made documentaries and shared it. This year I spent most of Pride in Queer community in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, participating in the kinds of Queer liberation practices that support me to show up in the world more fully. I attended the first Queer Mirroring training guided by Wild Mountain Retreats and then got to assist this year's Queer Quest via School Of Lost Borders, where I had the great privilege of co-guiding intentions and mirroring the stories of a very brave and tender group of fasters who were marking time and life passages together in what was a truly beautiful ceremony.   One of my favorite learnings was how those of us who go out to the land to do a rite of passage ceremony are not broken, nor do we return fixed. Our intentions and stories are never ending. They are infinite spirals weaving together the stories along with all the beings that have come before and who will come after. The land can hold us in our deepest grief and our most liberating pleasures. Our vulnerability and songs echo across the ridges and valleys reminding us who we are and the myriad of ways we are connected and it is the ripple effect of these moments that remind me how miraculous it can be to be alive. Become a Forest Therapy Guide! Train with me via The Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. This six month Forest Therapy Guide Training is a truly incredible journey and whether you go on to guide walks for the public or for friends and family or even just deepen into your own personal and collective nature connection, there are so many gifts that come from this course.  Join me this year! Sweet Fern Cohort begins July 22nd, 2022 on Friday mornings from 9am-12pm Eastern Standard Time with Tam Willey and Nadine Mazzola   Snowshoe Hare begins November 3rd, 2022 on Thursday mornings from 9am-12pm Eastern Standard Time with Tam Willey and Caitlin Williams Learn more: https://www.natureandforesttherapy.earth/guide-training/training Considering joining the Sweet Fern Cohort starting in late July? Join ANFT Trainers Nadine Mazzola and Tam Willey for a “Meet the Trainers Live Q&A Session” and bring your questions about the training program. Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81061275939?pwd=aDhiQy9iMzNxQ3BKaVJLclFzUUs5Zz09 Meeting ID: 810 6127 5939 Passcode: 54337 Dial by your location: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kcXzGBcpYc Check your time zone: www.worldtimebuddy.com Learn More at ToadstoolWalks.com Copyright © *2021* *Toadstool Walks*, All rights reserved. My mailing address is: *tamwilley@gmail.com* Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

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