They brought their own light, and found they were not alone.
I am so grateful to have had ‘Nathan Burgoine’s Upon the Midnight Queer on my kindle the past two days. Burgoine is sharing his holiday tradition with us, Christmas stories that center queer folks. In each of the 11 stories, he reminds us that queer people have always existed and found community with each other. In a world that is often not safe for the different, we find each other and share our light. I need this reminder now and if you need it too, I highly recommend getting a copy on November 12, when it is released.
Burgoine’s Christmas stories don’t ignore the danger and harm facing queer people. They do focus on the life saving power of queer relationships and community. Each of the stories is lovely in its own way. One of my favorites is “The Future in Flame,” which is a sideways retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Little Match Girl.” Ironically, or maybe appropriately, “The Little Match Girl” is one of my least favorite stories – a maudlin story in which the virtuous poor girl dies quietly instead of fighting for her right to survive. In Burgoine’s version, a young man can see the future in flames. He glimpses a moment of joy – dancing with another man. He quietly builds a life for himself, meets the man he saw himself dancing with and they build a life together, and a community of other lifelong singles. This version has a happy ending for the little match girl.
The final story, “Folly,” takes us back to Burgoine’s fictionalized queer neighborhood in Ottawa. This one is not a retelling (I don’t think), but it is a lovely story*. Hunt is the guardian for his orphaned nephew and nieces. In getting ready for their third Christmas together, he is still struggling to keep their traditions going while also working crazy hours on a renovation crew. His neighbor, Micah, an artist and the descendant of one of the characters in an earlier story, has been helping out, watching the kids while Hunt clears sidewalks and works. Hunt worries about being enough for the kids, giving them the Christmas they deserve, and is quietly pining for Micah. The queer community of The Village is something of a safety net for Hunt with the kids. There are so many lovely details in “Folly.” It was one of the best things I could have started my day with.
*Update: I just read the author’s blog post, and “Folly” is a retelling of “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas,” a poem written in 1881 by Emily Huntington Miller.
I received this as an advance reader copy from the author. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.