Embracing the Light: A Queer Perspective on the Winter Solstice and a Hopeful Vision for 2025
As the days grow short and the nights long, many of us find ourselves leaning into the cozy quiet of the winter solstice. This pivotal celestial moment—when the sun stands still and offers us the shortest day and longest night—has long been celebrated across cultures for marking a turning point, a shift from darkness toward the eventual return of the light.
At Safe Schools, we view the winter solstice as a powerful metaphor for our collective journey. Just as the earth rotates toward brighter days, we, too, move forward in our shared struggle for liberation, equity, and justice. With 2025 on the horizon, many of us may feel both hopeful and uncertain. We hear your concerns and we see your resilience—and we want you to know that we stand with you, every step of the way. We will remain true to our guiding principle: be bold, live free, stay woke, and love all.
A Brief History & Significance of the Winter Solstice
From the ancient Celts to the indigenous peoples of the Americas, the winter solstice has been a time of ritual and reflection. Ceremonies often center on themes of rebirth, community, and gratitude for the light that will once again prevail. For LGBTQ+ communities, this turn of the seasons can serve as a gentle reminder that after periods of hardship or isolation, a new dawn of hope and possibility always emerges.
In many traditions, the solstice is celebrated with gatherings around the fire, storytelling, and acts of charity or caring for others. These customs parallel the values we hold dear in our Safe Schools community—mutual support, unconditional love, and shared responsibility for one another’s well-being.
Embracing the Light as Queer Folk
For centuries, queer people have been forced to move through life’s winter—both literally and metaphorically—facing coldness from systems that did not understand us. But just as the sun returns after the solstice, LGBTQ+ communities continuously rise up, creating new spaces of warmth, light, and acceptance.
We celebrate our differences, honor our histories, and envision a collective future where all can thrive without fear. This winter solstice is a poignant reminder that, even in our darkest hours, we hold within us the promise of renewal. The solstice invites us to see the light within ourselves and shine it outward—boldly, freely, and proudly.
Looking Ahead to 2025: Uncertainty & Hope
It’s no secret that our world is rapidly changing, and 2025 may bring new challenges. Legislative battles that threaten our LGBTQ+ youth, educators, and families continue, social tensions fluctuate, and educational spaces become battlegrounds for inclusive policies. Yet, even in the face of uncertainty, we stand firm in our commitment to protect, uplift, and empower our community.
- Affirming Spaces: We will keep fighting for schools where every child can learn free from judgment and fear, especially our trans and queer youth who need our affirmation the most.
- Educator Support: We will continue our professional development initiatives, training educators to better understand and advocate for LGBTQ+ identities in the classroom, ensuring inclusive curricula and compassionate teaching practices.
- Family Engagement: We recognize that supportive families can transform a young person’s life. We will develop parent-focused workshops and resources that foster understanding and solidarity.
- Policy & Action: We refuse to be silenced in the political sphere. Our voices will be loud and persistent, pushing for protective laws and opposing any regulations that threaten our safety and dignity.
Remaining True to Our Motto
At Safe Schools, we don’t shy away from our core convictions. To be bold is to step into every space—classrooms, government halls, and online forums—with the courage to speak truthfully. To live free is to exist unapologetically, modeling the confidence our youth need to see. To stay woke is to remain vigilant, ever aware of how policies and prejudice affect our most vulnerable. And to love all is our shared calling, reminding us that empathy, respect, and compassion are the surest ways to bring about real change.
We promise you, we will not be silenced. We will stand up—together—for LGBTQ+ youth, educators, and families. As long as there are shadows of discrimination, we will shine the light of solidarity.
Honoring the Solstice, Honoring Each Other
This winter solstice, let us kindle the fires of love, resiliency, and hope. Whether you gather with friends, join community festivities, or simply reflect in the quiet of your own space, remember the profound truth the solstice teaches: the longest night must eventually yield to the light.
As we welcome this new season and prepare our hearts for what 2025 may bring, let our shared vision inspire us. We will carry each other through any darkness, always looking toward that bright horizon where every person—regardless of gender identity, orientation, or background—feels safe, celebrated, and free.
From all of us at Safe Schools, may your solstice be filled with warmth, and may the coming year be one of boldness, liberation, awareness, and love for all.
By: Rev. Dr. Harold Marrero
Chief Operating Officer
We encourage you to share this information with friends, fellow teachers, and allies and join us in bringing awareness to our efforts. Your support is essential for our ongoing work to create safe spaces for all students, regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or expression. Please consider donating to Safe Schools so that we can continue advocating for inclusivity and diversity within the education system.
