Most of you know I am a transsexual. I do not hide it and I have never tried to.
I am also a college student. Like many Americans, I cannot really afford to be there. Many trans people like me cannot afford higher education either.
Transgender people don’t have the same kind of opportunities that cisgender people do. Either you live a lie and torture yourself because you know your family will forsake you if you say anything, you tell them everything and are kicked out, or you are lucky enough to get a neutral to positive response. Yes, neutral is lucky.
The trans folks that say nothing and live in agony being unsupported and trapped can maybe go to college but know that if they say anything their tuition might be out the door, that their parents or family or guardians will throw them to the wolves. So they either suffer in silence or end up committing suicide.
The trans folks that came out and were kicked out have basically no chance at ever going to college. You might be able to get government and private loans, but you’ll be drowning in debt by the end of it all. Debt you may never be able to pay off alone.
The remaining lucky ones most likely still come from low to middle income families that can’t really afford college anyways. It is a borderline no-win scenario.
How is this fair? Can’t everybody see this is cruel? This is a struggle faced by all queer people, but is intensified by the trans label. We are easy targets.
I was once talking to a girl who was also queer, but not trans. I said, “Rae, in my state, it is illegal for me to use a public restroom. It is illegal for public institutions to give me my life saving medication. I have almost no rights. We are witnessing a modern-day segregation.” I live in Florida.
She turned to me and said, “You know it’s hard for me too. There are like, no gay bars in my city. No fun ones anyway.”
I felt like I had been slapped. I never really talked to her again.
Of course, all queer people face oppression, but for her to dismiss the violent and dangerous actions that are being taken against my people in favor of her own problems highlights a deeper issue with the attitude towards trans people.
We are an afterthought.
We are different.
Other people are so far removed from the plight of trans people that they do not recognize how privileged they are by comparison and damn it I refuse to be an afterthought for much longer.
I do not want to live in quiet, secret moments anymore. I do not want to be in the shadows and behind closed doors. I want to feel comfortable out in the open. I shouldn’t have to hide. Let me wear what I want and be what I am. Let me hold my boyfriend’s hand in public. Let me be able to take off my binder or just not wear it at all. Let my people have healthcare and basic human decency. Let us get an education and let us use the goddamn bathroom. Let us. Let us. Let us.
LGBTQIA+ rights in Australia still have a long way to go. Conversion therapy for example is still legal in most places in Australia. Victoria and the ACT have banned it for anyone to do, but Queensland has only banned it for healthcare providers - meaning religious organisations and groups can still legally continue this abusive and harmful practice. That needs to be changed.
Every other state and territory has yet to act.
SO LET'S TAKE SOME ACTION!
Find and support LGBTQIA+ advocacy groups, like Equality Australia, and use their resources to understand what's happening and what needs to change.
Email your representatives both on a state and federal level. Demand action. Also email the Ministers for Health, the PM/Premier/Chief Minister, and anyone else you think is relevant. Demand change. Make them aware that this is an important issue and it could lose them votes if they don't act.
Spread awareness! Talk to people directly to tell them to do the same, make social media posts telling people why this matters and what to do, and get the message out through various means like TikTok, youtube, instagram, etc. This must be a collective effort and the only way to do that is to make sure many people know and care. If you see one TikTok about emailing MPs then you might think about it, but if you see two or three about the same issue then it starts to really reach people and encourages them to do the same.
Organise with your friends to learn more and help each other. Unsure how to write an email to MPs? Work together to draft templates and share them around. Unsure how to approach others about how to talk about this issue? Chat with friends about how to go about introducing this topic in conversation. Want to know more? Share articles together to keep each other up to date and informed.
Repeat, repeat, repeat! Sustained effort is key. This might be as simple as setting a calendar reminder to yourself to send a follow up email in month's time, and then another month's time, etc. You haven't forgotten. The law hasn't changed - so don't let MPs forget either. This is a cruel injustice that must be fixed and it's up to our elected MPs to learn that fixing it should be a priority. Follow up with people after a month or two. Have they emailed MPs? Is it time to make a new video/post? Are there any new petitions to sign?
Together, we can build pressure and work together to bring this to the forefront of MPs' minds.
We're going to get this fucking fixed.
KOFI
PAYPAL
Happy Asexual Week of Visibility!
My dear lgbt+ kids,
Whenever you’re reading this, during Asexuality Awareness Week or not, it’s a good day to
- be proud of and comfortable in your identity as an asexual person
- question if you might be asexual (and no, you’re not too young, too old, too whatever!)
- support asexual people. Asexuality is real, there’s nothing wrong with it and asexual people belong in our community!
With all my love, Your Tumblr Dad
Only had one bathroom growing up
Cause I heard that people actually did have gendered bathrooms in their houses and I'd love to know how popular that actually was. Please answer only if you actually had this split, not if you've seen it in others. I anticipate the rate will be skewed, but I think the results will be interesting nonetheless.
My father is going to kick me out due to not helping out around the house enough, I have severe executive dysfunction and I can barely take care of my own room alone, I'm planning to move out and live with my partner but I don't have enough money saved up because art isn't doing very well right now
I'm 20 and only have 500 dollars to my name right now, I can't get a 'real job' like he wants from me
If you know anyone who wants furry art or just wants to donate to a cause then share this post
Donations and commissions are both available in the link below
Please spread the word of this blog so that people know it exists. This is a safe place for all LGBTQ+ people regardless of gender or sexual identity.
hey if you're a UK resident can you sign this petition and if not please rb to spread the word
this is an official UK government petition that they have to respond to if it reaches 10,000 signatures
Dear humanity,
Please Help Me – My Son May Die at Any Moment. I am in desperate need of your help. My son’s life is hanging by a thread, and he may not survive without urgent medical treatment This was after he was shot by an Israeli drone He was critically injured in his feet. Time is running out, and we are facing a critical situation. I am asking for your generosity to help us save him – either through a donation or by sharing this urgent plea with others
I beg you, i kiss your feet, to help my son. My son may die at any moment
Donate now:👇👇
gofundme.com
Thank you for your compassion and support during this critical time.
#free_palestine 23 🍉🇵🇸
^^^