Daniel K. Sheff – musings of a social work witch

about me

It is my deeply held belief that every person has the right to live by their own code, as long as they are not harming themselves, or anyone else, by their actions. We are responsible to ourselves, and to each other. The role of a social worker is to support…Continue reading “about me”

personal thoughts…

Lisa’s gone west

17 May 202317 May 2023

This morning, I learned that my friend Lisa died Monday. Lisa and I met over twenty years ago, when she came to work in the music department at Barnes &…

we just want them to live

10 Apr 202210 Apr 2022

If you live in the United States and interact with the news at all, you have likely read countless articles like this one talking about so-called "Don't Say Gay" bills…

course adjusted

Well, hasn't this just been a year? And believe me when I say, I know that's putting it mildly. For the vast majority of us, accurately describing our feelings requires…

lgbtq+

what is gender?

23 Oct 202012 Sep 2021

I had the opportunity to write and record a presentation about gender and gender identity for my Human Sexuality course midterm. Just for fun, I'm sharing that here in case…

racism

we are blind to it

I have hesitated to even begin writing my thoughts on this, though for those who know me personally I am sure a casual stroll through my Facebook feels not so…

why even get married?

22 May 202021 May 2020

I had every intention of posting this in time for Beltane, on May 1st, but the semester was rapidly coming to a close, and life just sort of got in…

mental health…

balance in the time of covid-19

22 Mar 202025 May 2020

Thursday was Ostara, the Spring Equinox, and as such, my husband and I performed a relatively short, simple ritual, a repeat of last year's. I didn't have the energy to…

mental health…

adjust course

4 Jan 202025 May 2020

Last weekend, I celebrated my 37th birthday. It's funny because even though it isn't an especially significant milestone, this particular birthday has brought into sharp relief that I am a…

online dating was a godsend

17 Dec 201917 Dec 2019

"I wish people would just do their own research on transgender people more often. Most of the time, when they ask questions, it's just exhausting because I'm expected to answer…

pride cometh after

2 Oct 201929 Mar 2024

This weekend, I had the pleasure of attending Champaign-Urbana's 10th Annual Pridefest celebration, and as a Parkland College student, I marched with Parkland Pride this year. The parade was longer…