A Thread of Hurt

What Will You Weave?

Abstract

Bailey Oratorical Contest Speech, February 28, 2023, pp. 44-47.

In her winning speech for Juniata College’s 2023 Bailey Oratorical Contest, Elizabeth Bailey elaborates on her opening question, “What does it mean to be gay?” Bailey shares the challenge a friend, and others, faced when announcing their queerness and argues that we can use our metaphorical spools of thread to weave hope and friendship, rather than hate. Through a very personal account, Bailey reminds us that to be courageous and to be an ally can make the world a safer and more accepting place.