Category Archives: Published essays

‘You Had No Father, You Had The Armor’

Posted on August 22, 2018 by Melanie Laura

I wrote about inherited trauma and the way my relationships with my brother and father informed my attraction to men. This piece began writing me last summer after I listened to Jay Z’s album, 4:44. Here is an excerpt: I … Continue reading →

Posted in Published essays | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Hateful Sermons Taught Me About Love

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Melanie Laura

You will learn that love is not about whips and if you believe in a God, you will come to realize that your belief comes from love and all that comes from love will come back to you in the shape of love. Continue reading →

Posted in Published essays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Loss For Words: Selective Mutism And The Complexity Of Sexual Assault

Posted on July 29, 2016 by Melanie Laura

My essay about consent, disability and my orientation, went live on The Establishment this week! Here’s an excerpt: I know I will never like boys the way I am supposed to when I become suffocated by his head and arms. … Continue reading →

Posted in Published essays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why Are You Afraid of Love?

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Melanie Laura

I wrote about inter-generational trauma, emotional labor and femininity and masculinity after watching Beyoncé’s Lemonade. This piece went live on The Establishment yesterday. It’s my first paid piece and I’m very proud of it 😉 Here’s an excerpt: I will … Continue reading →

Posted in Published essays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments