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I post a happy life event and lots of people like it.
I post something like this and almost nobody does.
Why? Is it the phrasing? I don't know, I hope so. But I'm afraid it's not. I'm afraid it's that several hundred of you looked at it and rolled your eyes.
If so, read on. https://twitter.com/Kinysis/status/1300297659224215552
I post something like this and almost nobody does.
Why? Is it the phrasing? I don't know, I hope so. But I'm afraid it's not. I'm afraid it's that several hundred of you looked at it and rolled your eyes.
If so, read on. https://twitter.com/Kinysis/status/1300297659224215552
I hope that isn't it. It could be a lot of things- no assumptions!
But if it is, that's the whole reason I tweeted it in the first place. Because if you rolled your eyes at the idea that you deserve love and self-respect, what does that say about your relationship with yourself?
But if it is, that's the whole reason I tweeted it in the first place. Because if you rolled your eyes at the idea that you deserve love and self-respect, what does that say about your relationship with yourself?
Right now the problems we face as a community aren't just from transphobes. I think the biggest problem we face is internal.
It's that voice that says "everyone is valid... Except me".
"Every trans person is beautiful and worthwhile... But not me."
And so on. You know.
It's that voice that says "everyone is valid... Except me".
"Every trans person is beautiful and worthwhile... But not me."
And so on. You know.
If you're feeling that, you've probably got a list of good reasons(tm) why that's valid. And I think a whole lot of us do. I do. I see tweets all the time that are either people expressing depression from it or clearly trying to give someone else even a moment free of it.
And we love them for it, so much. Because honestly? There are some moments that make it worth it, but a lot of the time it bloody *hurts* to be us.
And why does it hurt? Part of it's the world. But also part of it is that we've so often believed what the world said about us.
And why does it hurt? Part of it's the world. But also part of it is that we've so often believed what the world said about us.
Maybe we saw the way that trans people were talked about behind closed doors and sank deeper into our hoodies.
Or we watched someone we wanted to look up to become the butt of a joke on TV. Or Ace Ventura plunging out his mouth. It's impossible, if you're trans, to escape it.
Or we watched someone we wanted to look up to become the butt of a joke on TV. Or Ace Ventura plunging out his mouth. It's impossible, if you're trans, to escape it.
Our sexuality is shamed no matter what it is.
The love we have for one another is shamed or erased. Many of our families reject us. Or they accept conditionally and pretend they're trying when they're really just stalling for time, waiting for this "phase" to end.
The love we have for one another is shamed or erased. Many of our families reject us. Or they accept conditionally and pretend they're trying when they're really just stalling for time, waiting for this "phase" to end.
Things are looking overall grim on the political front, though we've also had some big ups, and I think that it's ultimately going to turn out okay. Or at least, better for the kids we know are suffering the way we were.
But all of that stuff? It gets into us. Day after day.
But all of that stuff? It gets into us. Day after day.
The abuse just rips us apart.
And that shit comes out in different ways. Some of us fight with transphobes or work in activism. Some of us make art.
Some of us try to fight the shame by finding reasons to feel superior and shaming each other.
And that shit comes out in different ways. Some of us fight with transphobes or work in activism. Some of us make art.
Some of us try to fight the shame by finding reasons to feel superior and shaming each other.
Sometimes it's over sexuality or how far someone has gone to medically transition. Sometimes it's over someone's sense of style or how early we came out. Sometimes it passability or beauty or whatever.
But it's always about proving to a transphobic world that WE are valid.
But it's always about proving to a transphobic world that WE are valid.
All the competition hurts us. It divides us and refocuses our attention on fighting each other instead of the forces that tell us we're wrong to exist.
We need to fight those forces.
And the best way to start is to realize that the shame is THEIR weapon. It's not true. Not us
We need to fight those forces.
And the best way to start is to realize that the shame is THEIR weapon. It's not true. Not us
We were born into this world the way we are. Regardless of what so many others seem to believe, we matter. We're part of the painting.
We *exist*, sincerely. And they don't get to define how we see our own lives unless we allow it. We can REBEL.
We *exist*, sincerely. And they don't get to define how we see our own lives unless we allow it. We can REBEL.
And to me, that starts with raising an eyebrow at that not-so-little voice in my head that says I'm an abomination, or fake, or a liar, or a trap, or invalid, or nothing but a slavering fetishist.
It starts with taking up courage and choosing to believe something positive.
It starts with taking up courage and choosing to believe something positive.
I believe I'm worth genuine self-respect, because I'm brave enough to surpass my anxiety and buy myself groceries. To hold my nearly 6'2" body erect and confident even when I catch them staring. And I know you are too. Because we all live in similar worlds.
So I say these little things about how you're worth love, and I mean them. Because you fucking awe me and I'm proud to be a part of this.
And because fuck criticism. We've heard enough of that for ten lifetimes. We'll hear more later. For now, let's do something else.
And because fuck criticism. We've heard enough of that for ten lifetimes. We'll hear more later. For now, let's do something else.
Take a look at yourself, problems and everything. Really look. Think about the good you've done in this crazy world. The little loves you've spread.
Think about how amazing it is that, with all the shit you've been through, you can still love! You can still trust. Forgive. Wow!
Think about how amazing it is that, with all the shit you've been through, you can still love! You can still trust. Forgive. Wow!
I'm not being sappy here. I am 1000% serious.
You matter. And you deserve love and self respect.
You matter. And you deserve love and self respect.
I really believe this. I really believe that we can learn and grow and be more than what the world tells us our limitations are. More than our mistakes. More than we ever dreamed.
I believe in you.
I believe in you.
