Shell Ballenger

“Your service is leaning into your truth, your queerness, your authenticity. Yeah, that thing you been told needed to be fixed. Yeah, the thing everyone told you would be your lifelong liability. You are enough, just as you are.”
― Billy Porter, Unprotected: A Memoir

“And so, with extra Leslie help and a chorus
of angels disguised as teachers and librarians
for years unstinting with love and hours
of practice, those ants finally marched
in straight lines for me
shaped words, danced sentences,
constructed worlds
for a girl finally learning how to read

I unlocked the treasure chest
and swallowed the key.”
― Laurie Halse Anderson, Shout

“I am in your midst, without apology. I’m here to stay. I’m here as I am. And if you have a problem with that—fuck you!”
― Billy Porter, Unprotected: A Memoir

“Most relationships come with expiration dates just like milk and bread. Some go sour before you can taste them,”
― Laurie Halse Anderson, Shout