From the desk of Her Grace, Ava, Duchess of Grant Park

To the Royal Prismatic Queerdom of Vosges,

My fellow Queers,

It is I, your devoted Duchess, returning once more with a passion to serve as your representative. Despite the non-elective nature of this position, I embark on this campaign with a resolute commitment to championing the cause of queer rights.

As we delve into matters close to home, we must also confront the challenges looming over our community. The past four years have witnessed a destabilizing force, chipping away at the rights of many within the queer community. It is disheartening that, with each election cycle, we are reminded that our rights are not guaranteed but must be continually asserted. This perpetual need to advocate is undeniably unjust and burdensome.

The upcoming 2024 presidential race is poised to be a critical juncture for LGBTQ+ rights. The surge in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, coupled with hostile rhetoric and targeted attacks, underscores the urgency of ensuring that presidential candidates unequivocally support our cause (source: HRC.com).

Regrettably, our lives and freedoms are not entirely within our control but subject to the fluctuating sentiments of a nation, some of whom oppose us. The right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness should be ours without question. We deserve the autonomy to lead our lives, establish families, and build communities without compromising our safety. Access to medical care and fair treatment is a basic right we demand.

This summer, as your Duchess, I embark on a campaign focused on these critical issues. Acknowledging that solutions may extend beyond the next four or even eight years, I recognize the groundwork laid by many dedicated individuals. While expressing gratitude for their efforts, it is evident that much work remains to secure housing, healthcare, employment, and food for all.

I envision a future where we establish a sovereign wealth fund, sustained by the export of our community's greatest asset — our creativity. Our creators contributing to a fund that serves the queer communities in the American South, with the potential to extend support to our siblings worldwide.

Together, let us strive for a future where the rights we seek are not only acknowledged but firmly established, and our community thrives unencumbered by the barriers of the past.

I serve at the leisure of you all.

Signed,

Ava