Due to a lack of LGBTQ representation in California’s textbooks, the state board of education is looking into a new policy of recommending history textbooks that include “fair, accurate, inclusive, and respectful representations” of LGBTQ people. This is a huge step towards improving LGBTQ visibility in the state by lifting the veil on the community’s historical contributions.
The California State Board of Education has also been a leader in inclusivity by featuring LGBTQ-themed literature on its recommended reading lists. But a 2013 tally found it has only 32 LGBTQ-themed publications on its list of over 7,800 books. So, while the state is making steps toward inclusivity, it still has more work to do. If California, or any other states, are looking for another title to add to their reading lists, there’s a new book in the works that’d be perfect.
Authors Jaimee Poipoi, Adam Reynolds, and Chaz Harris wrote a children’s book called “Maiden Voyage.” It’s a lesbian love story centered around a fisherman’s daughter with a treasure map. Harris and Reynolds previously collaborated on another groundbreaking book, “Promised Land,” a gay love story about a farmer’s son and a prince. The authors have launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the new book, and it’s caught the attention of two prominent gay actors — George Takei and Sir Ian McKellen.
“The media we experience as children informs the way we see the world and the way we see ourselves,” Harris told The Huffington Post. “Globally, [the LGBTQ community has] some of the highest suicide rates and our youth are often most at risk as they continue to experience bullying. We came to the conclusion that what we’ve been doing so far is a band-aid approach, it’s not focusing on the causes, but the result. ... Visibility and representation in storytelling is hugely important because if we don’t see ourselves in stories, we don’t see ourselves in the world.”
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
Fancy homeCanva
Happy volunteersCanva
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.