Some people believe existence requires permission. That visibility is granted, debated, or revoked by laws, policies, and shifting attitudes. But that is an illusion.
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Queer love and life has flourished in the margins, thrived in quiet defiance, and woven itself into the fabric of human history. For centuries, governments have tried to suppress identity, erase voices, and pretend we weren’t here. But the truth is, we were, we are, and we always will be—no matter what policies shift or rights are stripped away.
Today's post is intended to be uplifting, as well as educational and - of course - inspiring; with a fantastic interview with D.C Wilkinson about his latest book: Scents of Lavender published on June1, 2025.
You can view and purchase his beautiful book of Queer verse from his Amazon book listing here: https://mybook.to/Fbo5QDA
Before we dive into D.C’s inspirational journey, though, let's just take a bit of a temperature check on the world's current state of reality…
We don’t need permission to exist—because we always have, and we always will.
The latest legal changes in the UK (The April 2025 ruling defining "sex" in the Equality Act 2010 as biological sex at birth, meaning trans men and trans women are now legally classified as female and male respectively; even despite having received gender recognition certificates and updated birth certificates way back in 2004!) mirror a dangerous global trend, much like the attacks on trans rights in the US.
While the UK hasn’t outright criminalized existence, it has weaponized exclusion—quietly restricting access to housing, shelters, and basic resources, ensuring many LGBTQ+ individuals have nowhere to turn.
If you’d like to understand more about this in comparison to what's happening in the USA, then you can check out these great links below and support Good Law Project in their work:
For myself, the full gravity of these laws hit whilst reexamining my current precarious living options in Asia. Returning is even more impossible than ever because now it also means no support, no housing, no healthcare, no dignity, no safety.
This isn’t just exclusion—it’s denial of basic human dignity.
Back story: I had to leave the UK in 2017, not because I wanted to, but because the system failed me. The lack of support for serious health disabilities, including CPTSD, particularly within the collapsing mental health infrastructure, left me with no way to function safely. I was also subject to a particularly toxic situation, resulting in transphobic death threats.
Staying meant rapid deterioration, escalating trauma, no access to essential care, and no viable path forward. It wasn’t a choice—it was self-preservation.
Fast forward to 2025, and the UK’s new exclusionary laws make the idea of returning laughable… There is nowhere for people like me to go—no housing, no shelters, no safety. This isn’t just about struggling. It’s about being systematically shut out, with no right to basic dignity, privacy, or stability.
This isn’t just policy—it’s a human rights violation in plain sight.
And the truth is, I am not the only one. Countless others are being pushed into impossible circumstances, forced to decide whether to endure inhospitable conditions or leave everything behind in search of a country that recognizes their right to exist.
Yet I say: “If a country refuses to honor the basic right to live in safety, then it doesn’t deserve our time, our energy, or our loyalty. We must choose or create the spaces that embrace us, support us, and uphold the dignity we all deserve.”
From my perspective, I transitioned over 25 years ago. I lived before there were legal protections, and I will continue living after these protections have been removed. Nothing changes my reality.
I knew from the age of two who I was, and nothing is going to shift that: I don't need anyone's permission to exist!
Here’s the truth: we define our own reality…
The Power of Belief: NLP & Reality Creation
From an NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) perspective, our focus dictates our experience. Reality isn’t just what happens—it’s how we respond.
When policies shift, we only feel their weight IF we internalize and react to their meaning. It’s not the change itself that determines our future—it’s our awareness, our belief, and our focus that shape the reality we step into.
That is why we must focus forward. We must create the world we want—not dwell in the world others dictate.
A tree doesn’t ask for permission to grow. A bird doesn’t seek approval to fly. And we don’t need validation to exist—we just do.
Queer Stories That Defy Erasure
All of this brings me neatly to my next segment. This very notion—that our existence persists no matter who tries to erase it—is at the heart of Scents of Lavender, the latest book by D.C Wilkinson
His collection of 25 beautifully illustrated poems invites readers to step into the past, tracing the lives and loves of queer individuals who dared to embrace passion, even in eras that sought to silence them.
A Timely Release for Pride Month
The release of Scents of Lavender on June 1, 2025, was no coincidence—it is a declaration. Pride Month is a time of reflection, celebration, and visibility, and D.C Wilkinson’s latest work embodies all three. It is a literary monument to LGBTQ+ love through the ages, a reminder that our stories did not begin in recent decades, but have always been present—waiting to be remembered and retold.
For those who missed our previous interview with DC Wilkinson about Devin’s Dreams, you can find it here This debut novel is a mesmerizing journey through time, identity, and self-discovery, offering readers a deeply immersive experience.
As those of you who follow me know, part of my work here is to help amplify the voices and creative works of LGBTQ artists, writers, and visionaries. In my ongoing interview series, we celebrate those who are using their talents to explore the depths of queer experiences across cultures and generations
Below is my latest, exclusive Q&A with DC Wilkinson, diving deeper into his inspirations, process, and hopes for Scents of Lavender.
Exclusive Q&A D.C Wilkinson - Scholar and Story Teller
1. What inspired you to write “Scents of Lavender”?
My muses: the voices of LGBTQ+ people who spoke to my heart from their spacetime, through the universal language of love. Their long-suppressed life stories, their passion, longing, grief and loss, are still present in the air we breathe, in the scents of lavender that linger and that will never be erased from our collective memories.
2. Why did you choose poetry as the medium for this book?
Because poetry is music, a language we can all relate to. Just like love which, in my view, is a melody that transcends time and cultures. And, of course, queer love is an integral part of that melody.
3. How did you approach capturing the essence of different historical periods in your poetry?
I am a history buff. And as such, I devour history quite regularly. Having said that, in the case of the lives portrayed in “Scents of Lavender”, after learning about them through research, I tried to inhabit a specific moment or scene that resonated with me.
4. How does writing verse compare to writing a book such as “Devin’s Dreams”, your debut novel?
They are two different animals... It took me almost four years to complete “Devin’s Dreams”, which is a 360-page mystery novel with LGBTQ+ themes weaved into the narrative, three timelines (present, past and future), and all kinds of twists and turns. It took me one year to finish “Scents of Lavender” which is a book of illustrated poetry. I should point out that there are some significant parallels between these two “creatures”. For instance, they are both books about love. They are both works of fiction which are partly rooted in history. And they are both written using imagery that evokes dreams, visions, and memories of dimensions beyond our own.
But the most significant parallel, in my view, has to do with the fact that both books bring to life the voices of LGBTQ+ couples (and others!) in history, and across cultures, whose love defied time and silence, despite the forces that attempted to suppress them
5. Why did you choose to use illustrations for your poetry?
The images are intended to be thresholds for the readers to go through them, and catch a bird’s-eye view of the scenes being described in the poems. They offer unique moments of quiet immersion in the context of each poetic landscape. However, the focus of the book is not the artwork but the narratives that describe love, loss, grief, healing, and community.
6. What do you hope readers will take away from this book? What message do you hope to share with readers, whether they are part of the LGBTQ+ community or allies?
The basic message is that queer love is not a new construct and that we’ve been here since the beginning of time. We are --and have always been—a part of the universal timeless melody that we call love.
7. Do you see this book as a way to inspire others, or perhaps a way to maintain the heritage and history of the LGBTQ+ community?
I would be flattered and honored if my work ever elicited such response from readers. My intention is simply to allow the stories of LGBTQ+ couples to re-emerge from the depths of history.
8. What was the most challenging aspect of writing “Scents of Lavender”?
The research was both intense and enlightening. In the process, I enjoyed myself and learned so much about the lives of my subjects that I’m not sure I could call that a “challenge”. Similarly, inhabiting a scene while embodying the speaker was the most gratifying experience.
9. How long did it take to complete this project, and what kept you motivated throughout this process?
It took me a year to finish the book. My motivation and desire all along was to bring to life an evocative scene with every poem, in which the voices of the subjects are heard loud and clear.
10. What advice would you give to other writers who may be involved in completing a project like this?
Listen to your inner self. Let your muses talk to your heart. And when you are inspired, write like there’s no tomorrow.
11. How do you feel about your recent experience as a speaker on WorldPrice 2025 Plus Our Pride Shorts & Arts Fest?
It was an honor to be offered the time to speak about “Scents of Lavender” at this fantastic event. And, honestly, I enjoyed it!
12. What’s next for you as a creative? Do you have plans for another book or project?
I am currently working on Volume II of “Scents of Lavender” and also on a fantasy novel.
14. Are there any upcoming events, podcasts, or appearances your readers should know about?
The best thing people can do is subscribe and follow me. I usually announce each event within a few days of schedule, as I find that is what works best for me. By joining me in my community, you will always stay updated about my next creative moves!
Supporting LGBTQ+ Artists Through Redbubble
Beyond his literary contributions, D.C has also made a generous commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ artists living with disabilities worldwide. His poetry and artwork from Scents of Lavender have been made available on our Redbubble store, https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/171031924 where merchandise featuring his work can be purchased.
What makes this initiative even more special is that D.C has graciously donated 100% of the profits from these sales to help sustain our work and support queer artists globally. The entire team is highly grateful to D.C for his act of generosity and solidarity!
For those seeking poetry that blends historical insight with emotional resonance, Scents of Lavender is a must-read. It is available now on Amazon, inviting readers to immerse themselves in its pages, where love lingers like the scent of lavender—soft yet unwavering, delicate yet enduring. You can view and purchase his beautiful book of Queer verse from his Amazon book listing here: https://mybook.to/Fbo5QDA
"The basic message is that queer love is not a new construct and that we’ve been here since the beginning of time. We are—and have always been—a part of the universal timeless melody that we call love." – DC Wilkinson
We refuse to be erased. We refuse to disappear. Our voices, our love, our art are here to stay.
If a country refuses to honor our right to live in dignity, then it doesn’t deserve our time, our energy, or our loyalty.
We will not shrink to fit broken systems—we will seek or create spaces where we belong.
For those unable to leave—stand firm. For those seeking refuge—you are valid. For those fighting for change—never stop.
We don’t need permission to exist. We never did. And we never will.
With Scents of Lavender, DC Wilkinson offers a powerful, poetic testament to this enduring truth—one that illuminates forgotten narratives, reclaims lost voices, and reminds us that LGBTQ+ love and lives are not modern inventions but eternal forces, as timeless as the scent of lavender itself.
Countries That Are Leading the Way
While the UK and the US continue to roll back protections, other nations are actively strengthening LGBTQ+ rights.
🌍 Germany – Recently expanded legal recognition for trans individuals and continues to uphold strong anti-discrimination laws.
🇪🇸 Spain – Passed progressive gender recognition laws, allowing self-identification without medical requirements.
🇫🇷 France – Strengthened protections against LGBTQ+ discrimination and continues to support trans healthcare access.
🇳🇱 Netherlands – One of the most LGBTQ+ inclusive countries, with strong legal protections and healthcare access.
🇨🇦 Canada – Continues to lead in trans rights, offering asylum to LGBTQ+ individuals fleeing persecution.
For those seeking a future where they are respected, these countries offer hope, stability, and dignity.
Creating Visibility & Building a Future
We are at a pivotal moment, and visibility is survival.
This is why I continue to build platforms, including the Redbubble artist collective store, Fine Art America, YouTube and Substack.
This isn’t just about business—it’s about staying seen, staying connected, and creating financial independence for artists and creators like myself and team who need it most.
How You Can Support & Create
🌟 Support LGBTQ+ Creators. Support Resilience. Support Joy. 🌈
✨ Become a Paid Substack Subscriber For the price of a cup of coffee and a cookie a month, you’ll get:
💠 Downloadable art for your screens, personal prints & creative expression
💠 Exclusive deep-dive content to uplift, heal, and spark clarity
💠 Free music albums & my downloadable ebooks and audio NLP coaching resources to help you build a beautiful, brilliant life!
🔥 Support LGBTQ+ Art & Literature – Purchase Scents of Lavender: https://mybook.to/Fbo5QDA, bringing visibility to queer love stories that history tried to bury.
🚀 Create Your Own Merch Store – This July, we’re releasing packs of hundreds of downloadable designs, including some of our best selling designs from Red Bubble, alongside a step-by-step guide to help you launch your own store and income stream, keeping visibility alive while generating your financial freedom. Don't forget to subscribe to us here to be alerted as to when the packs go live. This entire toolkit gives you the power to create your own independent financial freedom.
Paid Substack subscribers can also access these packs at a significant discount.
💰 Earn From Your Art – If you’re a designer, musician, author, or filmmaker, you can put your work on merchandise and earn 40% of our Redbubble profits from any sales of your design. Just message me to get started!
For those who can support, THANK YOU! your contribution makes a real difference—not just for individual creators, but for our community as a whole.
And if you’re someone creating beautiful things, I’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re an artist, musician, author, or simply a storyteller, I hope to feature and interview more creatives, published or not.
If you’ve got a story to share, get in touch—because voices deserve to be heard, lifted, and celebrated!
For now, stay proud, stay strong and stay authentically YOU!
With love, light and positivity Coach Adam 😎⭐🏳️🌈🙏
Iconic LGBTQ The Art of Gay Style Culture, Aesthetics & Kink is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Thank you so very much for your heartfelt and enthusiastic endorsement of my work, Adam. I am truly grateful.❤️🩷🧡🤎💜💙🩵💚💛