do not forget the patron saint of these weeks that we celebrate ourselves proudly and openly in the streets
her name was Marsha P Johnson, and we have her to thank for so much.
remember, the first Pride was a riot, and she was one of the brave souls who endured it to help carve the path which so many of us walk today. she helped found several activist groups regarding LGBT safety and wellbeing. and she was absolutely radiant, too.
I take a shot once a week, and even if that was too much, I could do it as pills, and so many of my problems just evaporated overnight.
And not one person thought to bring it up.
When I was talking about how horrifying puberty felt. When I was cutting myself. When I was in inpatient care. When I attempted suicide. When I talked for YEARS in therapy about how dissociated and trapped I felt in my body. When I felt like I never truly fixed something that was deeply wrong about me that started at puberty.
Not one person said it was a possibility. No one thought "hey, maybe this kid should go to someone trained to identify dysphoria". No one mentioned that trans people weren't some weird other group of people. It didn't have to be pressure. It didn't have to be "forcing" me. Just mentioning that trans people exist and it could be me. That it was possible and it was easy. No pushing, just laying the option out there.
HRT is treated like this last ditch option. This horrific, mutilating thing that I GUESS we can give to you if you have NO OTHER options. Because did you know it's permanent? Did you know you'll be on it for the rest of your life? Did you know the health risks? Did you know it'll make you infertile? Did you know that it's deviant? Did you know that it's an alternative lifestyle for other people?
No one said it was okay to WANT it to be permanent. Or noted that most people are reliant on the medical system in one way or the other anyways (and it's not even necessary for HRT). Or that the health risks are the normal parts of having that hormone, even in cis people of your gender. Or said it was okay to not want kids, or mention that you can just freeze gametes. Or acknowledged that the "deviant" people are just people, living their lives, that have been violently pushed out of "normal" society.
I grew up in an area that Republicans mock for being a kind of "woke central". And even then it's just. Not treated as an easy option. It was never on the table if you don't specifically already know you're going through gender stuff, and no one will help you get to that point. At which point, it's still treated like the last ditch option. Did you know you can be a feminine man? Did you know you can slap a "she/her" in your twitter bio and be done with it? Did you know that you're oh-so-valid without it? Did you know that you shouldn't take HRT? Maybe don't take HRT? Don't take HRT? Don't take HRT? Don't ta-
When you've been in it a while, HRT is the easiest, most casual thing in the world. Just pop a shot on a Saturday as part of your "everything shower" routine and you're done.
And if anyone comes swinging in here with "but Sierra you don't have to take HRT to be trans this is toxic" I'm going to fucking scream, because that is the status quo. "Just do this without doing this" has become a "give them an inch" refrain when making ourselves "acceptable" to the cis. Of COURSE you don't need to take HRT. I'm only reminded of it a dozen times a day.
every so often people start liking and reblogging this post from me, and every time i forget how funny it is until i watch it again. hey bentn. don’t crap ya paants if ya see a vampire out deeah. get lost. you wouldn’t recognize a gaddam vampire if one jumped up and bit you on the end of your fucken dick. So just get off my back.
[the most violently 1980s synthesizer sting i have ever heard]
so i see you like makoto but what about her sister? i think some sae love never hurt anymore
well its a bit more than some for me but i want to know how you feel about her
Oh miss Sae Niijima,the woman you are…
Full transparency, she’s not gotta be into you until her hearts been changed. She’s far too focused on her career to entertain any sort of romantic feelings. I also think she has very high standards, but for now lets just assume you meet them.
I wouldn’t say she’s the gentlest lover, but she’s not strict either. She’s got a bit of a tough love streak, not being one to sugar coat things or coddle you, but there will never be a time where you doubt how she loves you. If you need her help she’ll be there without question, even if she might scold you a bit for getting into trouble.
She’s still very career oriented after her change of heart, but she makes time for you and Makoto although she doesn’t have much of a social life outside the two of you whoops. There will still be times when she overworks herself. It will be up to you to drag her away from her work before she burns out, to coax her away from her laptop and into bed in the dead of night. She’s stubborn in the moment but shows her appreciation after the fact, taking a day off to relax and spend time with you and take you out to a fancy restaurant, promising to even out her work-life balance more.
If you’re ever struggling career wise, she’s the perfect person to turn to. While her expertise may be in law, she’s got a lot of general and practical advice to give when it comes to climbing career ladders, and if something or someone is giving a hard time, she’s got you. Coworker giving you trouble? Let her talk to them. Deadlines too strict? She’s more than happy to speak to your higher ups on your behalf. Sleazy boss? Shes more than happy to pull some (legal) strings for you. She does expect compensation for her time. A dozen smooches or so should cover it.
Now, unlike most of the woman I write about, Sae isn’t a wife-guy. She’s more reserved with her affection rather than declaring it for all that will listen, she’s a professional woman, after all. But that's not to say she isn’t proud. Her coworkers are aware that she's with someone. If someone crosses her boundaries, she'll sternly remind them she's happily taken. And if anyone has the audacity to speak ill of you? She's tearing them a new one, no hesitation.
She does not, however, have the same reservations when speaking with Makoto. The girl is very aware of how much her sister loves you, about how great you are and all that you do, and it warms her heart. She's so happy that her sister is finding love and fulfillment in life, especially with such a great person. She's quick to suggest inviting you over when Sae seems stressed, saying that it's been awhile since you've been around, or that she just so happens to be making your favorite meal for dinner and it would be a waste if you weren't there for it. She's very aware of the power you hold over her.
Also, I think she would indulge my pillow princess tendencies. So I'd say I'm pretty normal about her.
Eryka Caldwell is a back trans woman who was murdered by her partner in her apartment last Sunday, and the story is getting a fraction of the attention that the murder of Juniper Blessing did. The police had already been called several times about her partners violence before her murder and did nothing, and she deserves the same outrage and mourning as Juniper got, and every one of our murdered trans siblings deserves. Trans women of color are more likely to be the victims of murder than any other group of queer people, and they need our solidarity, protection and support.
Caldwell’s boyfriend, 38-year-old Jonathan Fernandez, has been charged with murder.
snowghoul
kaledo-art
theartofmadeline
prguitarman
janainaart
gummygunk
romaincrisis
tangentwithtanner
titsay
