Happy 1st Birthday, Blog!

Here it is, lovelies -- Cute, Queer, Canadian becomes a proud one-year-old today. What a shock to see it all typed out before me. It's been one year since I launched this project and I am thrilled to see the personal progress I've made and to see the unmistakable changes to take over this space.

I started this blog for three reasons: first, I was inspired by the fresh and delightful pop culture/lesbian-themed posts of one Dorothy Snarker at her blog Dorothy Surrenders; second, I wanted to create a space for myself where I could blog freely on all the queer topics I wanted and connect with other women like myself; and third, I had the odd impression there was a void when it came to queer Canadian content on the Web.

In the first years of reading queer and lesbian blogs, I struggled to find writers with a Canadian perspective. Perhaps I wasn't picking the proper SEO keywords while searching, but still. It motivated me to start in with my own stories which led me to the likes of Queer Canada Blogs with its diverse, eloquent collective of queer blogettes and bloggers (who just happened to be of the Canadian persuasion). From then on, it's been a great trip connecting with new writers and with an excellent group of readers across the Blogoverse.

For a taste of nostalgia, here's the first post I made to Cute, Queer, Canadian (then known as "Queer in Canada"). It was a brief introduction to future readers and offered a nice profile of the writer to develop therein.

Since then, I introduced readers to the detailed world of The Harem Proper, showcased a wide array of talented women through Tunes for Tuesdays (highlights include Laura Marling, Amanda Palmer, PJ Harvey, k.d. lang, and Metric to name a few) -- and I even had the gumption to warn online daters of the Major Archetypes and Minor Archetypes of the dreaded e-scene. (Just so generous and thorough, aren't I?)

However, I think the most golden of all posts are tied into the coming out successes I found in the last year. All the time spent concealed and nervous paid off with a new-found freedom when it comes to personal identity. It's impressive to see that inner confidence take root and strengthen with each person I came out to. Check it:

• In April 2009, I profiled where I was at in the coming out process (I'M OUT! I'M IN!)
• July 2009 -- I vowed to out myself on the home front and wrote up the Official Game Plan for that August.
• I came out to my lil' brother on July 30th, 2009.
• I got scooped by my sister's engagement announcement on Aug. 22nd, 2009. Oh, so close. The week afterward was a tight, stress-filled one even while I was thrilled for my sister's big news.
• SUCCESS!! Aug 29th, 2009 will continue to be a remarkable day in the life of Miz Moffatt as I finally had The Talk with Mom and Dad.
• I pondered the difference between Being Queer and Living Queer after The Talk.
• I came out to The Advocate after a rousing Nuit Blanche and then came out to Ship Sharp on an October Ladies' Night.

Astounding. I relate to myself in such a different sense after the marathon of coming out declarations between July and October in 2009. While I still need to push myself out into the scene more, I now have the support of family and friends alike. I can enter into a relationship without compromising myself or my girlfriend's identity. That in itself is a revelation.

And now, I will make some space for a round of special thanks:

• To the parents and the siblings for accepting me and respecting who I am. I needed that foundation and I am glad to have found it.
• To the first friends who knew. O'Neill found himself in an integral role for me. I talked to him about queer issues I'd never spoken of before. I like to think we protected one another in those coming out years. And Ms. Chantal who knew I was queer before I even came out to myself which I am still impressed with. She knew when we were in grade nine. I know! I think I need to borrow her Gaydar....
• To The Advocate and Ship Sharp for not even blinking in the face of my coming out. I can't express how helpful both these ladies have been for my confidence level. They epitomize the term "straight allies" and "wicked cool women." And heck, they've both encouraged me to get out on the town and flirt with the ladies, so, um.... awesome.
• To Kara and Jessica over at The Adventures of Kara & Jessica -- Ms. Kara was the first follower of this blog and she gave me the confidence to keep at it and write for other queer gals like us.
• To the fabulous bloggettes and bloggers over at Queer Canada Blogs who provide epic content with a delightful queer twist.

And last, though quite important, I thank you for reading this. Whomever you might be, of whatever persuasion, thank you for clicking over here and checking out the life of a gay gal in the Great White North. Here's to another year that's even brighter than the last.