Transgender Day of, Visibility?
I’ve been visible for the past seven years of my life. I’ve been tolerated, people have been “aware”, and in return I’ve been tolerant of their behavior and opinions on trans people. I can’t accept this anymore, it’s time for people to start educating themselves while our community’s healthcare, bodies, and overall well beings are being policed.
Trans men and women are not a threat, until we’ve decided enough is enough and our identities and place in this world as human beings are targeted. I’m tired of being nice and trying to explain in a calm and coherent way why trans women should be allowed to play on teams with other women and why people under the age of 18 should be allowed to begin puberty blockers if they’re feeling uncomfortable and scared about their future as it was forced upon them as to either be a man or a woman.
I’m tired of being called “beautiful for a trans woman”
I’m tired of people wanting to fuck me behind closed doors all while they continue their misogyny and won’t defend my freedoms.
I’m tired of representation not fully showing the struggles of what it means to be trans and what the every day transgender person has to go through.
I’m tired of bills being proposed that are meant to keep us back in life, and even more so to eradicate us.
I’m tired of the trans community battling with one another and the gay community not doing more to understand our identities and feelings.
I’m tired of this bigoted world.
This trans day of visibility I ask you to learn some fucking acceptance because trans people are tired of just “being visible”. You know we exist, so do more to help protect us. Have those difficult conversations if we’re being talked about behind our backs, have those conversations about why these laws and policies being proposed are harmful to us. Do the work of an ally.
I leave you with this quote from @alokvmenon that spoke dearly to me and my feelings for so long.
“Tolerance is not the same thing as acceptance. Tolerance is always about maintaining distance: “This is about something over there that doesn’t concern me.” Acceptance, on the other hand, is about integrating difference into your own life:” “This is about something that I’m a part of, and I need to learn more to better help.” True acceptance can be uncomfortable at first, precisely because it takes work. Unfortunately, many people would rather prioritize their own comfort over our livelihood.”