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W P in k Ink
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important part of the writing. Participants
are welcome to ask for feedback or help
with spelling or punctuation, hut what
really matters are the stories that people tell
and their confidence in sharing them.
Sharing stories is core to W R A P ’S
mission, and echoes an ethic that was
eloquently articulated by Northwest writer
Barry Lopez in Crow and Weasel: “T he
stories people tell have a way o f taking care
o f them. If stories com e to you, care for
them. A nd learn to give them away where
they are needed. Som etim es a person needs
a story more than food to stay alive. T hat
is why we put these stories in each other’s
memory. T his is how people care for
them selves.” Teaching people to care for
themselves and others through writing is
what W R A P is all about.
Sullivan has participated in three
W RA P workshops, two o f them through
CAP. In addition to the benefits for himself,
Sullivan realizes what he has to offer to the
community at large. “A s someone who has
lived with HIV for almost 17 years,
IWRAPj has also allowed me to delve into
Je ff Sullivan has participated in two W RAP workshops through Cascade A ID S Project
stories o f others that 1 have had the benefit
which varies from group to group,
of befriending along the way. Most o f them
small build and a gentle, earnest voice, he
then is circulated among the writers.
feels like he is still very unsure about who he
weren’t as fortunate as I have been and are
Sometimes
a facilitator may need to
now deceased. By sticking with this work
is and where he fits in society. “I’m still ques
remind participants of the guidelines,
tioning everything,” he says. He feels like he
shop and allowing it to become a prime
but Tuller’s group took its to heart
is too young to label himself and wants time
source o f inspiration, I intend to continue
from the beginning.
to explore his sexual identity. Seng, like sev
telling stories about them .” He adds, “So
Unlike some of her other work
hopefully, I will he a member o f W R A P for a
eral others in the group, heard about
shops, Tuller was surprised at how
SM Y R C through his high school’s Gay
long time to com e.”
tuned-in and respect
Straight Alliance and want
ful of one another
Vouth find freedom to share and question
ed to check it out. He went
the participants
with some friends to the
were. If readers sus
W R A P workshop.
heyenne Tuller is another person with a
pected that someone
growing W RAP history. When she started
“ I always wanted to
in the group would
as a volunteer facilitator four years ago,
write for fun,” says Seng.
be offended by the
“W R A P offers me an
she worked at a corporate job and wanted a
writing, they were
creative outlet. She answered an ad for the pro opportunity to do that.”
gram and has been involved ever since. Tuller
More than being fun, Seng
sure to warn that
never thought twice about being herself in the
discovered, writing was a
person to cover his
W RAP community. “You don’t have to care
great way to get out his frus
or her ears or leave
about being out,” she says.
tration. "A t schcxil you have
the nxirn for the
W RAP accepts people as they are and
duration of the piece.
to hide some things or people
never judges them. Since her first workshop at
will judge you. People will put
The SMYRC
Project Quest, a support facility for people with
you in a closet of their own.”
guidelines included
chronic illnesses such as HIV and AIDS, Tuller
He was free to be who he wanted to be at the
“We won’t let personal differences get
has facilitated 10 workshops, including the
in the way of writing,” “We will sepa
W RAP workshop.
recent group at SM YRC.
rate the writer and the writing" and
This was her first group with teens, and she
Respect, openness and flm ^
“We will respect each other’s work.”
was impressed with the resource center and the
The group also decided that sharing
participants. “We didn’t have places like
RAP takes care to create safe, comfort
was optional, that all writing is gcxxl to
SM YRC to go to when we were young," she
able environments that foster a sense
someone and that they would “avoid
observes. “IThe participants] are so sure of who
tangential conversations about Elmo
of respect. At the beginning of each
they are. I didn’t have a clue at their age."
10-week session, participants spend time estab from Sesame Street.”
SM Y R C participant Pros Seng might dis
lishing a list of guidelines that promote trust
Seng found the WRAP experience
agree with Tuller’s perception. A t 16, with a
and safety. This unique list of ground rules,
to be very supportive. “I draw strength
“In English class,
you get
assignments th at
you have to do.
Here, you w rite
about things you
care about.”
-Frankie
~\
t Elise Campbell, gri , abr
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Shadowed Light
Our feet are the same
size. I've never real
ized before now, with
the moonlight streaming
through the blinds,
spilling onto our bed.
The dark lines of shad
ow coupled with the
pale, pure light that
is such a contrast to
our black satin sheets.
And our feet at the
foot of the bed, hers
much whiter than mine,
are the same size. I
look to her face, slack
and unguarded in sleep.
Her black eyeliner is
smudged under her eyes
and I know that if she
were to open her eyes,
they would be a beauti
ful pale blue. The first
thing out of her mouth
would be "What?" not
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I always thought it
strange that if you look
at someone a bit too
long, they ask "What?"
Shouldn't they ask "Why?"
I wonder what she would
be asking if she did ask
why. Why are you star
ing? Why satin sheets?
Why all the black? Wh^
do I love you? Or
maybe...Why are our feet
the same size?
— Frankie Porras (SMYRC)
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