Published by Copyright 2023 thecouragetobetrulyfree.com all4lgbtqyouth.org The Alliance serves to unleash the innate, internal power of LGBTQ youth to be leaders in their own lives and in their communities while living an authentic, full, and liberated existence.
DEDICATED TO OVERCOMING LEGISLATION LIKE THE FLORIDA PARENTAL RIGHTS IN EDUCATION ACT (THE “DON’T SAY GAY” BILL), WHICH AIMS TO SILENCE YOUTH IN SEARCH OF THEIR IDENTITIES.
All illustrations have been donated by Beuren Studio.
Victor Beuren, Flora Trindade, Gabi Emmerich, Marina Oliveira. Created by BBH USA.
The day was just like any other day. It was time for school and recess and play.
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But CoCo didn’t really like going to school. Because others were mean, especially
MULE
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Mule would say things like “Why are you so weird?”
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And CoCo would feel a familiar pain in their tummy…
So CoCo ran far away for a think, got tired of running and stopped for a drink.
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They saw their reflection and felt very trapped.
Lonely and sad, they laid down to nap.
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The hours passed by as mule’s words echoed on.
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The next morning, CoCo awoke to a curious new friend. They were tall and spotted and could make their neck bend.
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Their new friend taught them a new calming trick,
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Inhale for four counts, then exhale for six.
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After breathing and learning just what to do CoCo saw a Few colored stripes shine through
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Feeling more brave, just after dawn, they were stopped by three donkeys from venturing on.
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CoCo tried and tried to shake off the clay, and met a soft-hearted elephant along the way.
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And elephant helped them rinse it away!
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Once CoCo looked like CoCo again, they celebrated another bright stripe with their elephant friend.
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By now for CoCo, things were becoming more clear… until a swarm of flies buzzed by their ear.
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CoCo swatted the flies and tried to stay strong.
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Just then a hummingbird peeked out from a leaf, scaring off the flies, saying…
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Hummingbird showed them a blossoming field, saying,
AND
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“let’s sing some new words to help you heal,”
WORDSLIKE
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Right after CoCo noticed their newest bold stripe, dark clouds rolled in with all of their might.
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They hid under a tree as rain started to pour. Scared and alone, they breathed 1, 2, 3, 4.
Then they noticed a brave chicken splashing around…
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After the rain had gone and cleared, another new, colorful stripe appeared.
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As they journeyed on to somewhere new, CoCo met an alpaca with a dazzling hairdo.
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So alpaca gave coco their own fun, new style. They SAW ALL THE COLOR, and lit up with a smile.
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Confidently, CoCo walked by a big waterfall.
But
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this time… they didn’t feel trapped at all.
CoCo thought about giraffe, elephant and HUMMINGbird... chicken, alpaca and the lessons they’d learned.
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After gathering all these incredible tools, CoCo marched with confidence right back to school.
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