I feel great sadness and rage about these hate crimes that happened last night in Atlanta:
-8 women murdered
-6 were Korean
-all were Sex Workers working in a massage parlors
-1 white domestic terrorist safely caught by police after a high-speed chase
​
Violence against Asian American's is on the rise over this past year with the blame of Covid as a "China Virus." Sex Workers are ALWAYS targeted because of the way this country criminalizes and silences Sex Work. Ultimately this violence is intersectional, and we need to address it as that.

Will mainstream Asian American groups support bias against Sex Work as part of this violence? What solidarity exists between Asian American organizers and Sex Workers? Are local Atlanta Sex Workers able to have a voice in this moment? I hope honoring whole of these women's lives as Asian Sex Workers is possible.

I'm feeling allot of fear in Asian community about the possibility of further violence. I want to be clear about privilege and the layers of protection it offers. Despite living at the intersections of being a multi-racial Asian, queer, immigrant, southerner, I am not afraid. As intersectional as my life is, last night I was safe at home with my kid. There are many other identities that further protect me like being (mostly) middle class, living in a "safe" area & being unable to get out much as a solo parent. Ultimately, I hope that if you are feeling targeted, anxious or alone that you make space to feel your feelings and begin to heal today. Personally, I'm not afraid because that gives white domestic terrorists my personal power.

As a non-black person of color living in the South my life would not be possible without authentic connection to black people and black community. There are so many ways the Black and Asian communities support each other in Atlanta that are powerful and beautiful. Also, there is tons of anti-black bias in the Asian American community that must continue to be addressed.

When it comes to the addressing the hate crimes last night, I hope you will take action. As a community organizer I know the power of supporting each other and taking this sad moment as catalyst towards changing the world.

1. Make sure every post you make has the words Asian and Sex Worker in it.
2. Support Asian Americans Advancing Justice Atlanta and Stop AAPI Hate by giving money, signing up for their mailing lists, following on facebook and keeping watch for local ATL response.
3. Talk to your kids and family about the intersections of why these women were target for being Asian AND Sex Workers.
4. Look out for a local ATL response and show up.
5. Support Sex Worker organizing and decriminalization by supporting Red Umbrella Fund and Sex Worker giving circle at the Third Wave Fund
Asha Leong is an activist, sexual liberator, healer and mama who lives in Atlanta, GA. She can be reached at www.dreamingdesires.com
 

I've been working hard to create a list of books for solo moms, solo dads, solo non-binary parents and grandparents.  Here is the result of my research.  Many thanks to Queer Single Parents by Choice and the Queer Parent's Network for their input.  On to the list!
Non-Binary Parent/Kid Books:
I Love You No Matter What
You Are My I Love You
Wish by Emma Dodd
Together by Emma Todd
Polar Bear Night
Following papa's Song
Dad/Kid Books:
Papa Please Get The Moon For Me
Jabari Jumps
Jabari Tries
Bilal Loves Daal
Someday Angeline
Peck, peck, peck by Lucy Cousins
Do I have a daddy by Jeanne Warren Lindsay
Dogs don’t do ballet by Anna Kemp
My super single dad by Bronny and Munsta
Going for a sea bath
Off & Away
Mom/Kid Books:
A Chair for My Mama
Teddy's Favorite Toy
Dreamers by Yuyi Morales
Wild Child
One of a Kind Like Me / Unico Como Yo
Tad and Dad
Guess How Much I Love You
all the stars in the sky and fish in the sea
Owl Moon
Mama Do You Love Me?
Mama loves you so by Terry Pierce
You Nest Here With Me
Saturday by Oge Mora
Windows by Julia Denos
Daniels Good Day and A Poem for Daniel by Micha Archer
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
Yum, yum, yummy by Martin Waddell
Pearl Power by Mel Elliott
My mum and me by Penny Johnson and Kirsten Irving
Hug by Jez Alborough
Raising you alone by Warren Hanson
Just the baby for me by Barbara Levin
My super single mum by Bronny and Munsta
Nan’s donut dilemma by Mary Andrew Ryan
Jules vs. The Ocean
Hands and Hearts
A Mother for Choco
Grandparent/Kid:
Hooray! What a Day by Molly Allis
Que Cosas Dice mi Abuela
Miss Rumphius
Johnny’s Pheasant
Leave Me Alone
Celebrating Diverse Families:
The Great Big Book of Families by Mary Horton and Ros Asquith
The family book by Todd Parr
Families, families, families by Suzanne and Max Lang
Horton hatches an egg by Dr. Seuss
Here are some link's to book lists featuring solo parents:
http://www.ellamentalmama.com/single-parent-childrens.../....
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/.../10-great-books.../...
http://booksforlittles.com/mothers-day/...

My goddess card reading is on point today! My past is Night Wind: facing fear, subconscious release, healing. Present is Evolution: earth changes, climate change, transformation. Future is Perception: beyond the veil of illusion. This period of my life is all about facing my fears, healing, evolving, transforming, and living into reality. I offer goddess card readings as part of of my business feel free to reach out for a reading!