Eliza Maria Designs

So I don’t declare it a ton in passing, but I’m fairly open about being q***r. 🏳️‍🌈

In case you missed it, I’ve always known I was bisexual growing up (I consider myself more pansexual now, before there wasn’t really a word for it). Happy Pride!

I love and am attracted to all genders, have been aware of this since elementary school (where I was bullied for “being a lesbian” many times 😞), and I have dated and been with people of all genders. ❤️

Thankfully Mom was always a very supportive and loving ally, she taught me the importance of equality for everyone from a very young age, had many q***r friends, participated in many LGBTQ+ events, and even chose to bring us up in our church because it was open and affirming. I am forever grateful 🥰.

I happily have had many very strong LGBTQ+ mentors my entire life, who always celebrated authenticity despite living in challenging times, and helped me feel comfortable and safe being me. I have grown up with many openly q***r teachers, coworkers, and friends, all of whom I love, cherish, celebrate, and respect.

I’d like to think I am a fairly vocal advocate for my LGBTQ+ peers, for equality and LGBTQ+ rights. I certainly try. I put my money where my mouth is, and I love to participate in LGBTQ+ advocacy events as well (though not as much lately due to my ongoing health challenges, hopefully that can change soon).

I am so grateful to have always lived in locations in the US where it felt generally safe to be “out”, even if it hasn’t always been easy or entirely comfortable. I wish this was the case for everyone, and I hate that it isn’t. 😞

I know that I have it MUCH easier than many of my 🏳️‍🌈peers, and that as an individual currently in a heterosexual marriage who has (purely by accident) had long term relationships with men, I get to generally “hide” in plain sight. I typically don’t have to deal with society’s homophobia unless I want to. This is not the case for so many amazing individuals, and my heart goes out to them as they navigate a world that largely still doesn’t support, protect, or accept LGBTQ+ people. I am privileged.

That doesn’t mean I don’t see it. I see it all. I judge your moral character when I witness your homophobic actions, your casual jokes, your hateful political views, your chosen friends, your homophobic churches, the doctrines your god preaches as ‘right,’ your homophobic partners, and the values you instill in your children. Believe me, I do. 😞 It hurts me deeply. I find it profoundly disrespectful, ignorant, and genuinely hateful. I don’t know how you live with such duality in your life. It makes me never feel truly comfortable or safe with you. How can I when you consciously choose to hurt others with your homophobic actions and words? Save your prayers, pray for yourself.

I am disgusted by the millions of people who preach love and morality but don’t extend it to the entire population, all while poisoning future generations with their bigotry and false claims of equality. My heart weeps for you. I forever hope that you will eventually find the way towards true love, acceptance, affirmation and celebration of everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, age, and ability. The world has a loooong way to go.

I am so very grateful that most of the individuals I choose to associate with are openly supportive of equality for all, and have LGBTQ+ affirming views, that many are willing to stand behind their words, and have shown themselves to be true allies. If this is you, I absolutely love you. Thank you for being your amazing self, you are cherished!!! ❤️ But I desperately wish it was everyone.

My heart goes out to any and all LGBTQ+ individuals who don’t get to feel supported and loved. Especially to those growing up in areas where it isn’t safe to be outwardly q***r, and to any LGBT+ person that feels less than, I am holding space for you. I will be your biggest advocate. You are safe with me. To those sadly fighting against their authentic 🏳️‍🌈 self, I see you, and I have hope for your future. To anyone who has to live with “family” that isn’t supportive, and to those who are actively told there’s something wrong with them, I send you so much love, my home is always open to you. We are family now. To the millions who have died unable to be openly q***r, who have lived closeted and unhappy, suffered from homophobic violence inflicted by others, from self harm, or from abuse, my heart holds your story, I fight to prevent further violence, and I feel your sacrifice. I don’t want it to be in vain.

My dear LGBTQ+ population, there is NOTHING wrong with us. ❤️ We are made of stars, we are love, and we hold the heartbeat of the world in our chest. We are beautiful humans who deserve a wonderful life and happiness, who deserve to love whomever we love, to be authentically ourselves, and to live life with compassion, complete equality, affirmation, legal protections, and respect from everyone. This is my prayer.🙏 I hope that someday this belief will be the norm, and I won’t have to experience the constant threats to my LGBTQ+ peers. But in the meantime…

Happy Pride. I’m here with you. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

What a wonderful weekend!! Thank you SO much to all my friends and family who attended (and supported from afar!!), we had a truly successful and amazing 2nd annual Longmont Handcrafted Holiday Market. We had 40 incredible handmade, local artisans, all with beautiful high quality work. Being at the Boulder County Fairgrounds was perfect. We had 2300+ people on Saturday and another 1300+ people today, with extremely happy vendors, and delighted customers!

As one of the cofounders of Longmont Artisan Market, I couldn’t be happier. Lindsey at Fettle & Fire and I wanted LAM to be a wonderful organization that supports local artists and connects them to the community, bringing exposure to established AND up-and-coming artists alike. This weekend was such a joy, and exactly what we hoped it could be. ❤️❤️