A group of disabled queer Black folks talk and laugh at a sleepover, relaxing across two large beds. Everyone is dressed in colorful t-shirts and wearing a variety of sleep scarves, bonnets, and durags. On the left, two friends sit on one bed and paint each other’s nails. On the right, four people lounge on a bed: one person braids another’s hair while the third friend wearing a C-PAP mask laughs, and the fourth person looks up from their book. In the center, a bedside lamp illuminates the room in warm light while pill bottles adorn an end table.

Belonging

Belonging is very close to the idea of feeling safe. Belonging means more than being included. It means feeling understood, accepted, and able to participate without constantly having to explain yourself, hide parts of who you are, or push past exhaustion just to keep up.

Stimpunks Foundation