PLUS OR MINUS by Lorraine Brooks
Don’t call me plus size.
Why should I be?
I’m bigger than some,
some are bigger than me.
A number is given to keep track of our size,
And what is the difference which one I must buy?
I’m not plus or minus, don’t label me so,
And don’t tell me into which stores I can go.
If I need an 18, and you need a 3,
You shouldn’t be thinking you’re better than me.
If you need a 20 and I need a 2,
I shouldn’t be thinking
I’m better than you.
Why don’t we instead,
embrace everyone’s curves
With all the respect and support one deserves.
Don’t label me by the disease I possess
Or anything else that might cause me distress.
I’ve spent most of my life with the label of “plus”,
The truth is that labels aren’t good for any of us.
Let’s labels shelves, and file cabinet drawers,
And signs on the ladies and mens bathroom doors.
A label is good if I need to explore
Where your office is located on the 5th floor.
And I need a label when I’m shopping for food
To know if tomatoes are pureed or stewed.
But don’t label me and my body, I ask,
And don’t make me wear this invisible mask…
Put labels on envelopes with return address,
Or telling me which one is lettuce, and which watercress.
Because in the end, I’m the same as you are,
And labels work better on bottles and jars.
But even if I am not your cup of tea
Don’t put labels on people…and please, not on me
Max “Mr. Divabetic” Szadek and poet Lorraine Brooks revisit her groundbreaking poem “Beauty & The Beach,” which premiered over thirteen years ago on Divabetic’s Roundtable podcast. The poem was inspired by Esther Williams and resonated deeply with podcast listeners and Diabetic blog readers. Since then, there have been numerous requests to have Lorraine share the poem again on subsequent podcasts or repost her words on the blog.
During this Divabetic podcast short take, Lorraine shares how her opinions about her body and wearing a swimsuit have changed over the past decade, but her feelings about her diabetes diagnosis have not. She emphasizes the time, effort, and care she has put into her diabetes management, which has helped her remain free of diabetes-related complications. The discussion also touches on how negative self-talk can hinder us from living life to the fullest. Lorraine has agreed to revisit the theme of the beach and swimwear at our request and has written a new poem, “Summer Skin,” for an upcoming podcast about the 42nd Annual Mermaid Parade in Coney Island.
Although “Summer Skin” is not a cheerful poem about exposing more skin during the summer, we are still honored to share it with the audience. We hope you know our community welcomes you to share your thoughts, feelings, apprehensions, struggles, and successes regarding living with diabetes.
New York City Pride March 2023
Thank you to all of the AMAZING ALLIES in my life. The ‘A” in LBGTQAI+ is an essential part of our community.
Yesterday morning I was overcome with emotion thinking about how vital my ALLIES have been in my life. I can’t imagine my life without them. My family, friends, co-workers, employers, neighbors, and leaders have walked beside me and provided me with strength, laughter, joy, love, and community with each step of my journey of self-acceptance.
Your love, friendship, support, kindness, and respect mean so much to me as I live my truth. You make it safe for me to show every shade of the RAINBOW in my heart and soul.
Sadly, many people around the globe, like me, don’t feel safe or enjoy the same freedoms. I’m grateful to their ALLIES too.
I appreciate my trans and nonbinary community members for feeling safe to be who they are in my presence.
The Pride March is an opportunity to see the vastness of our community. All the different sizes, shapes, ages, races, and genders of people in our community. It’s a vitamin to the soul to know you’re not alone.
I feel overcoming the SHAME associated with being gay is similar to the SHAME associated with a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Feeling pride in something others think is shameful is a powerful tool for guiding you to live your best life. It’s not easy to overcome the inner negative thoughts and emotions, but it is worth it.
On this episode of Divabetic’s popular podcast, Mr. Divabetic spotlights LGBTQAI+ people living with, affected by, and at risk of diabetes with music from Indigo Girls.
Research shows that LGBTQAI+ people have unique health disparities and worse health outcomes than their heterosexual counterparts regarding diabetes care and education.
Guests include The Flood Girls & The Small Crimes of Tiffany Templeton, Author Richard Fifield, and Heart Health advocate and fabulous drag queen, Mutha Chucka, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES.
We’re talking about ‘Diabetes & Pride’ on this episode of Divabetic’s popular podcast with musical and identity inspiration from Ricky Martin.
Since Ricky Martin came out in 2010, he’s been a prominent voice for LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S. and his native Puerto Rico. Ricky Martin said, “I just wanna be free,” upon receiving GLAAD’s Vito Russo Award, which honors gay entertainers who promote equal rights. Martin opened up his life to Vanity Fair in its April 2012 issue and spoke candidly about his twins, Matteo and Valentino, and his longtime partner, Carlos Gonzalez.
As an openly gay man, Mr. Divabetic is honored to shine the spotlight on members of the LGBTQ+ community living with diabetes. Guests include Stephen Bernstein, Greg Rubin, Maria Salazar, Maya James, and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach.
“