So, I know this is obviously not universal, BUT.
I just went to my first LGBTQIA+ event. Like, ever. I would share how happy I am and a bunch of other things, but I found this more important.
I want to talk about the trans unity in this event. Sorry if the post is wonky, I just came back a while ago and still really happy.
The two times trans men were misgendered when being introduced to the crowd by a cis man, one of the first people to correct him was a transfem (who wasn't a producer or nothing, it wasn't her job but they still did it.)
During a solo performance from one of the most legendary trans women in the community (she does really cool dance performances in events, it WAS AWESOME) the first person she reached for from the crowd was a trans man, who gladly took her hand and they danced together on stage.
During a separate group performance, one trans women's garments fell apart on stage as she was dancing and she kinda froze for a sec. The crowd kinda quieted a bit. First person who started hyping her up and encouraging the rest of the crowd to do so was a transmasc next to me, and she eventually got her footing back and kept going!
Of the people helping the aforementioned group of transfems get their clothes sorted there were transmascs who then stood outside of the women's bathroom while the performers got dressed, just in case.
Hell, it was a transfem enby who walked me home from the damn thing at nighttime, which they absolutely did not have to do, I didn't even ask. Giving me advice the whole way, encouraging me to never give up but still be careful, talking about her own experiences of rejection and how I could avoid them. I complimented their nails, and she proceeded to tell me she loved my masc style (and pretend she thought I was cis, which was very flattering.)
I know that sometimes we get really negative because of the cesspit that is discussion about us on the internet. Then we start punching sideways, being transmisogynistic or transandrophobic, and spaces that were supposed to show we're a community start to fall apart. People pick sides, get hurt, become further radicalised, you know the deal.
But, it's not like that EVERYWHERE. It's not constant vitriol from the other side. People actively support and love each other regardless of what type of trans they are. They don't constantly degrade each other about who has it worse, who should be the punching bag, who doesn't belong.
This was just what I saw TODAY. Can you imagine all the other wonderful memories those people have of each other? Not just at this event but around the whole world? It's more important than ever for us to stand together, watch out for each other, support each other. Trans unity is literally the only way we get through this, and though I already sort of knew that, it was solidified today.
It's never all perfect. Never ever ever. There are always problems in this community, and we should always try to make sure we can solve them, being trans doesn't make you immune from being bigoted. But what I saw today was FUCKING BEAUTIFUL, and I wanted to share that.
