Hey, trans elder chiming in with my two cents on this discourse:
Trans men and trans women are not enemies. Our existences do not inherently cancel each other out. Our fights may not be identical, but they are parallel, and we should be doing all we can to uplift and protect each other.
I’ve always said that in-fighting is going to be the death of our community. We bicker so much that we don’t even have the time or energy to focus on the very real threats that are being directed at ALL of us from those in power who wish to see us ALL eradicated simply because they can. There is no reason for the violence. The violence is the reason.
Transandrophobia and transmisogyny are both real issues that we respectively face, but they are also both symptoms of a broader issue: general transphobia.
If we want visibility, we must create it for ourselves. We cannot wait for it to be granted to us by people that think we do not deserve it. Our visibility comes with a price, though, and that price is placing an enormous target on our backs. As such, we need to stand together. We are a family, we are a community. And, damn it- we all better start acting like it sooner rather than later, because it’s gonna get ugly before it gets better. Before it gets safer.
Trans women, I promise that you are safe with me. I promise that I see you.
Trans men, I promise that I see you. I promise that you are safe with me.
Nonbinary folks, you are valid within our community and are safe with us. Your trans* siblings have your back.
Intersex folks, you belong here. I promise that you are safe and seen with us.
We are all stronger together. We will survive, like they said during the police raids and the violent political climates of our collective history, by continuing to fight, and continuing to dance.
