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Special Pride Month walk ✿ LGBT mental health chat

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A new type of video on the channel for pride month, I have decided to share my current experience as an LGBTQ+ person (specifically GTQ) living in the UK right now. I talk about the rise of transphobia in the UK and how it has affected my mental health, even as someone not especially engaged with LGBT topics and 'debate'. Hear how the politicalisation of trans lives and trans healthcare has affected me and why I decided to speak out now.
💙Please note that my channel is a calm, kind space focused mainly on nature connection through art. It is not a place to have a debate about the issues I raise in this video. This video is just here for me to share my experiences with my community and others who may be interested. Any divisive, mean, or heavily political comments will be hidden or deleted.💙
If you'd like to learn more about the topics raised in this video, these are great:
How the media promotes transphobia • How The Media Promotes...
The influence of transphobia • The Influence of Trans...
What do the trans community need the most right now? • What do the Trans comm...
Also mentioned in this video:
• Love Yourself Love yourself by Beans on Toast. Feel-good positive music for anybody else struggling with self worth and self esteem.
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☆ THE NATURE JOURNALING CIRCLE ☆
Do you want to learn how to start a nature journal? The Nature Journaling Circle includes monthly LIVE tutorials on a huge range of topics from bird sketching to botanical painting. It also includes access to all my on-demand video courses, such as the popular "How to Start a Nature Journal". There's also a free community you can join for inspiration if you are not ready for a paid membership yet.
Find out more at www.naturejour...
Community support scheme for low-income potential members: / support-scheme-105774156
For regular inspiration, join my mailing list: view.flodesk.c...
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☆ OTHER LINKS ☆
○ Instagram: / alexboonart
○ Patreon: www.patreon.com/alexboon
○ Website: alexboonart.com
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Опубликовано:

26 авг 2024

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Комментарии : 81

@breezinbyyou 9 часов назад

Stumbled onto this channel today while looking for Devon nature videos. Your honest, beautifully articulated words are desperately needed during this time of viciousness directed at my transgender friends here in the U.S and elsewhere. You have a new fan. Subscribed.

@daveypup 2 месяца назад

While I can't quite put this across as eloquently as you Alex (he's the better half!) I just want to say how bloody proud I am of you for putting this video out there. Because I know how damn hard it was for you to do this. When you're at your highest, you change the world one new inspired nature journaler at a time. When you're at your lowest, you come on here and re-read all of these comments about you. Because you need to see how much of a positive impact you're making on people and nature. It's invaluable to remind yourself of this when the world is horrible and depressing. You are loved.Cuddles waiting when you get home.

@Marc_ofthe_west 2 месяца назад

This is so damn sweet and true

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

You are the bestest of all - making me cry during a loo break 😂 I will certainly be reading these comments again and again, especially yours! 🥰🥰

@CatiVawda 2 месяца назад

Thank you for taking us on your personal Pride Nature Walk and Talk. It is distressing to have you and too many others hurt for any reason, especially for just being yourself/themselves. Knowing that this effects you allows us to express our support for and appreciation of you individually and for the Pride collective. I hope that in having shared so publicly, you will experience, hear, and hold dear the respect, appreciation, and love that so many have for you. You are seen. You are heard. You are respected. Oh and somebody, somewhere is nature journaling the walk.

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

Haha, I love to think of someone nature journaling this pride walk 😄😄 Thank you for your very kind comment with lovely words 🙏🙂

@jimsumpter8742 2 месяца назад

Thank you for taking me along on your walk and talk Alex; I had a great time and respect your honesty and courage. It was my sense of your kindness that drew me to your work and has inspired me to want to reconnect in a meaningful way with the world we live in. And to reconnect with the little boy version of me and his wonder and creativity. Growing up gay during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s was a difficult time for queer people too and I covered up and left that ‘wonder-full’ boy behind. I’m ashamed that some in the UK seem to have switched scapegoating onto the trans community; I want that to stop and I will be taking part in two pride celebrations/processions this year for the first time in a long time! Happy Pride Alex! Oh, and yes please, more walks and talks, maybe around environmental issues? 🌈❤️

@debramoore6318 2 месяца назад

I love your videos and so wish you weren't contending with so much. As the mother of a gay adult child I so feel for you. No matter what, I love my children and only desire happiness for them. Just be you. You're so talented and have so much to offer the world. ❤🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

Thank you so much for such a lovely thoughtful comment. Happy pride month to your adult child 😊😊

@nicolahensel1064 2 месяца назад

Thank you so much Alex. These are very hard times. I'm moved by your courage in speaking out. I rarely leave comments anywhere on the internet , but do today to add my voice to others who believe in kindness, acceptance and celebration of everyone as they are. I'm really grateful for your generosity as an artist, and now as a trans man. Sending you love from Australia.

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

I greatly appreciate you leaving a comment here, thank you very much for taking the time 🙏😊

@MadBotanist415 2 месяца назад

I already think you're one of the coolest people in the nature journal community, Alex. Now, I admire you even more. Thank you and major props for talking about your identity. That takes incredible courage in a world that is still filled with far too much bigotry. It makes me angry to think of you and any other friends and family being treated this way and having to defend something so basic as being yourself. I know it's been bad here in the U.S. - I didn't know you were facing this in the U.K. too. :( Big hugs to you. ~Yvea (she/they) - used to being IDed as 'she' but self-identify primarily as agender.

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

Hi Yvea, I didn't realise you were agender, so happy pride 🏳️‍🌈 Yeah, it has gotten so bad in the UK that it is getting a bit of a reputation in Europe as being a transphobic country, which is a real shame! It never used to be this unkind here, or at least, bigoted people were less loud about it. Thanks for sharing about your identity as well, you are very cool too! 💚

@MadBotanist415 2 месяца назад

@@AlexBoonArt I hadn’t known there was a term for how I identify until the pandemic. Though sometimes I question whether I’m agender or genderfluid. I don’t talk about it much, because I’m still figuring it out, and a few folks still ID me as female even after I’ve told them. In any case, thank you for being someone I can share my identity with. Happy Pride to you too, my friend! 🏳️‍🌈

@goldmancafe 2 месяца назад

Thank you for sharing your story and your insights, Alex. Here in the United States, there is so much hatred and vitriol aimed at LGBTQIA+ people. Being part of the LGBTQIA+ community myself, it's so distressing sometimes even though I live in what's considered a more "progressive" state. I'm so happy you found Buddhism and yoga and nature journaling on your healing path. Much love to you.

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

Thank you for your lovely words, I am glad you are in a more progressive state and I hope the distress can be minimised or soothed by some activity like art, yoga, nature journaling. Whatever it is for you, it helps. Much solidarity 🏳️‍🌈 🙏🙂

@sarahbyfield3713 2 месяца назад

Thank you so much for all you do day to day helping us connect with nature with kindness. I’m so deeply sorry you and others experience such toxicity. Please know that you are appreciated and admired for who you are and what you do. Thank you for speaking up. Please be kind to yourself and gentle to yourself too just as you are with others. Sending lots of love and respect! ❤️

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

Thank you for your lovely comment 🙏🙂 I am trying to learn self-compassion, and this was an important step in that direction. It is not an easy skill, but I know it is something that can be achieved with practice.

@suzannemarshall7458 2 месяца назад

Your own Pride Walk was a very powerful and open conversation with us out here in RU-vid land. Pride is certainly needed and always should be a joyous celebration of humanity. Your work in the Nature Journaling community is so important and needed by everyone. And your kindness, teaching style and enjoyable videos make my day each time I watch.

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

Thank you so much 🙏 I was very reticent about pride in the past, because I didn't feel I had any. I wanted to just blend in and not be noticed, but now I realise that pride isn't about being noticed - it is about self-love. So I am doing more to embrace it 🙂

@katjabozarth4654 2 месяца назад

Thank you so much for your bravery, Alex, I am so incredibly sorry it has become this horrible in the UK… Sending you and the whole community lots of love and strength ❤

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

Thank you so much 🙏

@rgt8637 2 месяца назад

Thanks so much for sharing your story. Your frustration at the political context meaning you are needing to divert energy to justify existing is so beautifully articulated and makes so much sense. By sharing your experience in your work/professional sphere you hold the door open for anyone who has experienced structural discrimination of any kind to bring our stories with us to work in the environmental sector. Doing this is not a distraction - it is naming a distraction: the constant additional work of negotiating a space to thrive. Sending you best wishes and thanks for sharing your story and experience. 🌈

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

Thank you. That is exactly why I needed to do this video, otherwise I am not representing at all, I am pretending not to be affected by something, which is not good for a person's mental health. Great thoughts, you've articulated what I was trying to achieve with this video very well 🙂

@karenhodder5306 2 месяца назад

Well said Alex. It's so sad that you're being made to feel stressed and anxious about being a trans man. You are obviously a brave and talented person with so much to offer the world. I hope you receive all the support and compassion that you deserve in order to feel valued and to fully love yourself. ❤

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

Thank you so much, your support is vry appreciated 😊

@charisgriffin 2 месяца назад

What a brave and thought-provoking video - and how sad that in 2024 you still feel that you had to make it. I absolutely believe that everyone has the right to live their life as they feel happiest, regardless of gender, religion or colour and that this can best be achieved by acceptance and mutual respect. You definitely have my respect for talking openly about your experiences and also for being who you are as an artist and environmentalist. I hope that life for LGBTQ+ people in the UK (and elsewhere) improves to the point that videos like this are no longer necessary and I shall do my best to help bring this about by being open in my support. You have so much to give to the world and should take great pride (no pun intended) in what you have already achieved ❤

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

Thank you so much for your kind comment. I hope that one day it does all die down again - it is very dramatic how much the nastiness increased after about 2019. I just want to focus on the nature stuff, but the constant transphobic noise in the media hasn't been fun. All the lovely comments here help me see the world isn't so dark 😊

@clairelander425 2 месяца назад

Thank you for sharing Alex, I appreciate your honesty and courage. Sending you support and love, best wishes, Claire

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

Thank you so much 😊

@journalingwithnature 2 месяца назад

Beautiful video, Alex ❤️ Thank you for your authenticity and openness.

@katerighter 18 дней назад

"Every time someone steps up and says who they are, the world becomes a better, more interesting place." - Raymond Holt 🌈 (from the show Brooklyn 99). You're amazing for putting this out there, and for ALL the work you do and all that you are.

@AlexBoonArt 5 дней назад

Thank you, Kate 🙂

@qwiltergrl 2 месяца назад

I appreciate your courage and sharing. I completely support and respect you. I adore your work and your message. Please know you are appreciated and valued. Keep up the amazing work you are doing. Much love from across the pond.

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

Thank you for your lovely words 🙏🙂

@buddhabro.9130 2 месяца назад

Thank you so much for speaking up about this. I am a Buddhist and gay non-binary person who identifies as they/them here in America. The political situation is not much better over here luv. Your honest, no-nonsense approach to this is a breath of fresh air and a testament to us all. Sending you lots of love from across the pond, Namo Buddhaya 😊🙏🧡

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

I know, America and the UK seem to be pretty similar in the way this is being handled, at least recently. It is very nice to hear from another Buddhist person in the community 🙏🙂

@lindarasmussen2669 2 месяца назад

Beautiful video Alex! Thank you for everything you do and who you are. ♥️

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

Thanks Linda 😊

@suepotts698 2 месяца назад

You are who you are. Be proud of yourself and live your life your way forget about what others think ❤

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

That's something I am trying to learn - it doesn't come naturally to me. Thank you so much 🙏😊

@curlew-3592 2 месяца назад

There is a saying ‘You are what you create’. You create beautiful artwork so you are an artist.😊🇬🇧

@deeaustin6479 13 дней назад

Alex, I only found your channel this morning because you were talking about my beloved Inktense! (and teaching me how to use them properly) I just want you to know that I am a 68 year old woman who only sees a wonderful, erudite young man sharing his love for art and nature. It makes me so sad that you are having such a hard time and can only hope that you find some peace despite everything that is going on.

@AlexBoonArt 5 дней назад

Thank you, Dee. That is a very kind sentiment 🙂💚

@margaretlaurie4993 2 месяца назад

Thank you Alex for your thought provoking video. ❤

@SueReed-tj5zb Месяц назад

So wonderful to see all the support on here. All the best to you on your journey x

@AlexBoonArt Месяц назад

Thanks Sue 🙂

@Karlientjie 2 месяца назад

Thank you for sharing Alex! It's so unfortunate that we cannot just be who we are.

@claregraham4732 2 месяца назад

Alex, thanks for this thoughtful, beautiful and honest video. As a person who doesn't belong to the LGBTQ+ community, I am always interested to hear more, to kind of understand more from the inside, about what it's like for people to live in our society who don't belong to the dominant demographic. It's so important for me and other "straight" people to hear how things are for our fellow humans. Thank you for sharing your experiences and thoughts, and thank you for the trust you have in your online community. You expressed everything beautifully as usual. I deeply regret that our society as a whole (in Canada too) has to politicize the experience and life of some of us in a way that puts on pressure, shines a light that may not be welcome, and prevents people from just being happy, ordinary people living their lives. It seems to kind of take away your right to ordinary, private happiness without having to justify yourselves. I belong to the dominant culture, and no one is saying things about me (except occasional people ranting publicly about Pagans, which is not nearly so intense or intrusive as what you're experiencing). I hope the climate will change... part of the fuel for change will come from sharing experience as you are doing in this video. Though of course it puts you "out there" in a more intense way, too. Thanks for your courage in making this video. Please know you are respected and loved by people who follow you; you have added so much to others' lives and experiences with your warm and generous drive to share your love for nature, your love for art, your creative processes and your spiritual side. You're a beautiful, wonderful human being and the world is a better place for having you in it. Stay courageous Alex.

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

Thank you for your kind words. You express it exactly right, that most people just want to get on with their lives. I want to focus on my art/nature vocation and business in peace, without feeling under pressure because of the political climate. It is a distraction that I just don't want. I am certainly going to get on with what I like doing now that I have made this video and spoken out, it needed to be done and your words explain why perfectly. Thank you for being a great ally 😊

@rhiannonsteffen8755 2 месяца назад

Thank you , shared your story.❤

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

You're welcome 🙂

@spinneretta Месяц назад

I think it’s brave of you to get out of your comfort zone and talk about a difficult topic. I thoroughly enjoy your videos, and I’d love to see you have a walk and discussion- though I’m all for you talking about the environment and green issues, and all the artistic things, maybe even the natural history of your area (I do love the fossils). And I wish you good luck on your Buddhist journey! I’m looking forward to your next video 😊

@AlexBoonArt Месяц назад

Thank you - those are all great ideas. I am struggling to find time to make videos this summer but RU-vid is prominent in my plans for autumn and next year so I will write these down 🙂

@PauleLeGad 2 месяца назад

Thank you for taking us along with you on your walk. It was great sharing.

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

My pleasure, thanks for commenting 😊

@marilynschroeder8246 2 месяца назад

I have enjoyed your all your videos, but this one made me so sad. My oldest grandchild is transgender. I love him unconditionally and I worry over what the future holds for him. Be yourself. You are a beautiful and talented person. Sending much love your way. 🌈♥️

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

Thank you for your lovely comment - I hope your grandchild will be able to go through his transition happily and find joy on the other side. It is tough at the earlier stages, but it does become a lot easier ❤️

@amyvetter1830 2 месяца назад

Sending compassion, acceptance and hugs your way. Growing up near San Francisco gender has never been an issue that I worried about, just being a good person is all that matters and when you find love, you deserve it for yourself. I just want to be on the beach with you finding ammonites, and journaling the wildflowers and tide pools. I think everyone in the world has self esteem issues, value yourself, love yourself, be yourself. Thank you for sharing your love of nature with everyone.

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

Thank you Amy 😊 I feel so much better having posted this and I am happy to just get on with making my nature journaling content again 😁

@kazfarndon4990 2 месяца назад

Total respect to you in opening up. I'd guessed you were gay but not trans...but that in no way has any bearing or alters my opinion of you as a human. In my world, kindness to others and caring about nature are the defining attributes I look for in others....sad you felt the need to make this video, the world can be a cruel place sometimes

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

Thank you Kaz 😊 I needed to make the video and feel so much better that I did, all the comments have been wonderful and I will return to them if I ever feel down about this.

@Marc_ofthe_west 2 месяца назад

Thank you for sharing your story Alex, your loved and I will always support you! 🏳️‍🌈 Edit oh and I really enjoyed the walk and talk it was excellent to get to know you more and I could see that being an excellent way to make some content (other topics :) )

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

Thanks so much Marc, yes I enjoyed making this and I think some walks with less heavy topics are definitely in the channel's future.

@helenrichards7866 2 месяца назад

Love the illustrations and the massive fossil you showed. Thanks for explaining these things that I don’t thoroughly understand but happy you have found your life partner. As a woman I feel I am more understood on some level by gay and transgender…think along the same lines…it shouldn’t be a big deal. My children and grandchildren need to be true to themselves, as do everyone’s children and grandchildren. Yes environmental issues are my focus. We are very much on the same page…❤

@helenrichards7866 2 месяца назад

I am Tasmanian and not aware of all that goes on in England. Tasmania was one of Australia’s last state to accept queer people. Very sad but we got there.

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

Yes, that's exactly it. Just not a big deal but other people make it a big deal. For me, it is just like any other medical process I have had to go through (and there are others) and once the hard bit was done, I wasn't expecting any more drama... and yet... Thanks for your comment, glad that Tasmania did get there in the end 🏳️‍🌈

@jomo3512 2 месяца назад

Thanks for sharing your story with the world

@ruthiepurnell7507 2 месяца назад

I’m so proud of you ❤

@sarahlucas1999 2 месяца назад

Having followed you for many years and knowing how kind and generous you are to your nature journaling community I find it strange that anyone could then decide to not like you anymore for opening up about your personal connection with being GTQ. I know it happens but shouldn't the person, ie you, be defined by more than just being gay or trans? I've known you to have been gay for as long as I followed you, you've never hidden it but also haven't made it what defines you. I respect you for making this video and for also making nature and nature conservation your main priority. I'm not sure if this makes any sense at all it's currently 2am and I can't sleep 😅 Take care Alex and know that I'll always support you 🥰

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

Thanks Sarah, this comment is so appreciated 💚💚 It can be very hard to want to make a statement like this because I hated being "the trans guy" when I was more visible, and I would hate it now. I would rather be "the nature art guy" you know? Hopefully that won't happen - but it certainly could be worse. I have found that pretending not to be trans and just blending in doesn't make me less trans - if you see what I mean. This was definitely the best course of action. Thank you for your support 🙏🙂

@sunltcloud 2 месяца назад

Dear Alex, it makes me sad that you are suffering and I wish there were a medicine to heal your pain and a salve to cover your wounds. But while we have not yet invented a guaranteed product to cure anxiety and heartache, you clearly are taking steps towards recovery - your awareness, the courage to speak, and your spiritual engagement tell me that you are not letting a climate of increasing politicized hatred get you down. It was your kindness that drew me to your Nature Journaling videos. It was your connection with the ancient forest and your dedication to the cliffs, the rocks, the sand, the water, that kept me watching. It is you, the person, whom I admire and respect. You bring us closer to Mother Earth and show us how to express ourselves in our desire to depict, understand, and support nature. I feel severe discomfort when I see the direction a growing part of our population is taking; I see more unrest and more polarization. More pain. As an old person I don’t have the luxury to believe that I will outlive the trend, and so I concentrate on the bright spots in my present life. And you, young man, are definitely a bright spot in my life. ❤️

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

Hi Gisela - well I am not suffering so much anymore after positing this video and having received so many beautiful, kind comments from the community. It was very important for me to speak now, and I am very glad I did. Thank you for such a lovely comment, I appreciate your every word and I am grateful to be a bright spot in your life 😊

@Cynthia.B 2 месяца назад

Hi Alex, you are such a wonderful person all around, and I'm sorry you've been having a hard time with things lately in the UK. (Well, you know how crazy the U.S. always is, seriously, on so many levels, especially with this being a Presidential election year, but enough about that!). Thank you for being so open and for sharing your story. Yes, I have and support all LGBTQ+ people in my circle of family, friends, and co-workers. I'll admit that I don't always understand all of the terminology and what the transitions entail, but I believe each person is a human being who deserves respect, to be treated with kindness, and to live free from harassment or any kind of intimidation. /// You have so much to offer the world, and I have learned so much from you over the past year. I would like to see more of these videos, whatever the topic. A walk-and-talk is a great idea! I hope you do stick with creating some RU-vid videos, amidst all of your other projects! Even shorter videos are much appreciated and can lead to more subscribers and monetization of your channel. /// I wish you well, Alex, and please do love yourself as we all love you. Take care and we'll still be your tried-and-true fans and friends! Happy Pride Month!💜💙💚💛🧡❤🌈

@AlexBoonArt 2 месяца назад

Hi Cyndi, thank you for your lovely comment. It's the same here, we have a general election this July and apparently trans people are one of the "big issues facing the country" or something or other, I don't know! Will be nice once the election stuff goes away. I am definitely going to make more walk videos, on different topics. They are fun to film and get me out of the house. I mean to make more RU-vid videos but have struggled to find time, even shorter videos take a long time to edit. Hopefully I will be able to do more regular ones next year 🙏😊

@amyvetter1830 Месяц назад

Hi Alex, haven't heard from you for a while(a month now) Hope all is well. I figure you are busy getting your map ready for the art exhibit. Please continue with your blog ;)

@AlexBoonArt Месяц назад

Hi Amy, yes you're right, between the exhibition and a massive project I have going on right now, I haven't had any spare time to make videos. I won't let my RU-vid die and have big plans for later in the year, but got to go quiet for a bit on here. I'm sharing more on Instagram and Facebook just now 🙂

@amyvetter1830 Месяц назад

@@AlexBoonArt thanks for responding, good luck with your project