It\u2019s <\/em>Cotton Xenomorph\u2019s last \u2018Cryptids and Climate Change\u2019 pieces! What fun it\u2019s been editing this issue and seeing these pieces roll out. I hope, if you\u2019ve clicked on any of these links, you\u2019ve found some cool writers you liked. Check out \u201cLakebed\u201d by Rabbitfeet<\/a> and \u201cA Girl Activates God Mode\u201d by Ruth Joffre<\/a>. I saved two absolute bangers for the end, I promise. <\/em><\/p> CX will reopen for submissions in July, so get your writing fingers twitching!<\/em><\/p> It would be nice to say it\u2019s a settled issue that being LGBTQIA+ is not a choice. But it\u2019s only a settled issue in my mind because I\u2019m not in Youth Group anymore and don\u2019t talk to people who think it is a choice anymore. 20 years after a man who also thought the theory of evolution was bunk was trying to convince me \u201cthe queers could repent any time they wanted,\u201d it\u2019s a mainstream debate about just how many people who go on HRT later regret it. Something like three or four people, if I understand correctly<\/a>. <\/p> What I\u2019m getting at is: it\u2019s been long enough, and you don\u2019t have to have patience with queerphobes. David Lynch has already told them to fix their hearts<\/a>. <\/p> Utah Governor Spencer Cox has declared this year\u2019s Pride month to be a \u201cmonth of bridge-building.\u201d<\/a> This comes after his 2023 declaration, which omitted all use of the LGBTQIA+ acronym<\/a> (that\u2019s an Axios <\/em>link, I understand if you don\u2019t wanna click it). Here\u2019s the 2024 declaration, followed by a few of the choicest cuts of Whereases: <\/p> Whereas, we understand the shared human need for connection, kindness, understanding, and friendship; <\/p> Whereas, we recognize that a pluralistic society with differing ideas, people and personal beliefs is foundational to the American experience; <\/p> \u2026<\/p> Whereas, we recognize that there are many Utahns, including those who do not identify with, celebrate or support Pride celebrations, who nevertheless share the experience of being marginalized, rejected or isolated;<\/p> \u2026<\/p> Whereas, in Utah we love our children and we hope to live in such a way that our children will forever love us even if at times we may disagree over deeply-held personal views or beliefs;<\/p><\/blockquote> As far as Governor\u2019s declarations go, it\u2019s a far cry from ![\"Cox](\"https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/cd0f1a99-04d5-4e4b-9fea-79233815d94a_870x1390.png\")
<\/figure>BRING YA ASS<\/s> LET\u2019S GO WOLVES<\/a>.<\/p>