• About
    • About Autostraddle
    • Meet The Team
    • Jobs
    • Advertise
    • Press
    • Events
    • Contact
    • Comment Policy
  • Shop
  • Sign In
  • Support Us
    • Give to Autostraddle
    • Become an AF+ Member
    • AF+ Gift Membership
    • Buy Our Merch
  • Home
  • AF+
    • All AF+ Posts
    • AF+ Discount Marketplace
    • Into the AF+ Advice Box
    • AF+ Roundtables
    • Personal Essays
    • Anonymous Job Confessions
    • Interview with My Significant Other
    • Things I’ve Never Asked
    • The Autostraddle Insider
    • Some Answers to Some Questions
    • Sex Diaries
    • S L I C K Erotica
    • Interview With My Ex
    • Excerpts From My Secret Diary
    • Annual Report
  • Television
    • All Television Posts
    • LGBTQ Television Guide: What To Watch Now
    • TV Show Recaps
    • TV Reviews
    • TV Lists
    • TV News & Trailers
    • TV Features
    • The L Word: Generation Q
    • Autostraddle TV Awards
    • To L and Back Podcast
    • Boobs On Your Tube
  • Film
    • All Film Posts
    • The 100 Best Lesbian Movies Of All Time
    • The Autostraddle Encyclopedia of Lesbian Cinema
    • Movie Lists
    • Movie Reviews
    • Movie Features
    • Movie News & Trailers
  • Entertainment
    • Literature
    • Celebrities (Vapid Fluff)
    • Style
    • Music
    • Theater
    • Visual Art
    • Comedy
    • Sports
  • Love + Sex
    • All Love + Sex Posts
    • Dating
    • Sex
    • Sex Toys
    • Lesbian Dating Apps
    • Friendship
    • Breakups
    • Relationships
    • Lesbian Weddings
    • Shibari 101
    • Tops & Bottoms
  • News
    • Politics + Activism
    • Society + Culture
    • Pop Culture Fix
  • Community
    • Culture
    • Straddleverse
    • The Autostraddle Yearbook
    • LGBTQ+ Businesses
    • LGBT Pride
    • Autostraddle Reader Data
  • Identity
    • First Person
    • Coming Out
    • Gender
    • The QTPOC Speakeasy
    • Disability
    • Bisexuality
  • Home
    • Crafts & DIY Projects
    • Food and Drink
    • House & Garden
    • Pets & Animals
  • Games
    • Quizzes
    • Puzzles

Life

  • LGBT History
  • Health
  • Travel
  • Money + Work
  • Geekery
  • Astrology, Tarot & Witchcraft
  • Holigays
  • Parenting & Family
  • Pregnancy

Etc.

  • Special Issues
  • Webcomics
  • Lists/Top Tens
  • Greatest Hits
  • Ranked by Lesbianism
  • Epic Lists
  • Shopping
  • Podcasts

  • Support Us
    • Give to Autostraddle
    • Become an AF+ Member
    • AF+ Gift Membership
    • Buy Our Merch
  • Sign In
  • Home
  • AF+
    • All AF+ Posts
    • AF+ Discount Marketplace
    • Into the AF+ Advice Box
    • AF+ Roundtables
    • Personal Essays
    • Anonymous Job Confessions
    • Interview with My Significant Other
    • Things I’ve Never Asked
    • The Autostraddle Insider
    • Some Answers to Some Questions
    • Sex Diaries
    • S L I C K Erotica
    • Interview With My Ex
    • Excerpts From My Secret Diary
    • Annual Report
  • Television
    • All Television Posts
    • LGBTQ Television Guide: What To Watch Now
    • TV Show Recaps
    • TV Reviews
    • TV Lists
    • TV News & Trailers
    • TV Features
    • The L Word: Generation Q
    • Autostraddle TV Awards
    • To L and Back Podcast
    • Boobs On Your Tube
  • Film
    • All Film Posts
    • The 100 Best Lesbian Movies Of All Time
    • The Autostraddle Encyclopedia of Lesbian Cinema
    • Movie Lists
    • Movie Reviews
    • Movie Features
    • Movie News & Trailers
  • Entertainment
    • Literature
    • Celebrities (Vapid Fluff)
    • Style
    • Music
    • Theater
    • Visual Art
    • Comedy
    • Sports
  • Love + Sex
    • All Love + Sex Posts
    • Dating
    • Sex
    • Sex Toys
    • Lesbian Dating Apps
    • Friendship
    • Breakups
    • Relationships
    • Lesbian Weddings
    • Shibari 101
    • Tops & Bottoms
  • News
    • Politics + Activism
    • Society + Culture
    • Pop Culture Fix
  • Community
    • Culture
    • Straddleverse
    • The Autostraddle Yearbook
    • LGBTQ+ Businesses
    • LGBT Pride
    • Autostraddle Reader Data
  • Identity
    • First Person
    • Coming Out
    • Gender
    • The QTPOC Speakeasy
    • Disability
    • Bisexuality
  • Home
    • Crafts & DIY Projects
    • Food and Drink
    • House & Garden
    • Pets & Animals
  • Games
    • Quizzes
    • Puzzles
  • Shop
  • About
    • About Autostraddle
    • Meet The Team
    • Jobs
    • Advertise
    • Press
    • Events
    • Contact
    • Comment Policy
The Roots of Anti-Violence: New York is set against a green background.
Gender Issues Politics + Activism

The State of Trans Lives in the Birthplace of the American LGBTQ Movement

Despite New York’s progressive reputation, it ranks among the top states for anti-trans violence. What are the factors that contribute to the plight of trans New Yorkers?

xoai pham March 30, 2021 3 Comments
The Roots of Anti-Trans Violence against a pink and yellow background.
Gender Issues Politics + Activism

The Barriers that Keep Trans People From Thriving in Texas

The Lone Star state has repeatedly attempted to take life-saving resources away from trans people.

Crimson Jordan March 30, 2021 5 Comments
"The Roots of Anti-Trans Violence" Against a purple and blue background.
Gender Issues Politics + Activism

The Roots of Anti-Trans Violence

Trans people have been reported as experiencing an epidemic of violence. But why does the violence happen in the first place?

xoai pham March 29, 2021 5 Comments
Coming Out Issues

Controlling the Image: Obsessive Compulsion and the Closet

“When I asked my friends from high school if they remembered me ever mentioning my records, most of them had no idea. Just as most of them had no inkling of my queerness before I finally came out.”

Sionnain Buckley November 1, 2018 31 Comments
small island in the middle of the water
Gender Issues

The Nothing Between Your Legs

“She’s a tomboy,” your mother says, frustrated. “I’m sure she’ll grow out of it when she gets interested in boys.” “More dolls,” repeats Mrs. Morris. They plan to doll this little problem out of you.

Hamilton September 4, 2018 25 Comments
First Person Gender Issues

The Incredibly True Story Of How Cissexism Made My Same-Sex Marriage Legal

Thanks to a simple governmental regulation, my wife and I were able to exploit a legal loophole and obtain a federally recognized marriage.

Elizabeth June 13, 2013 34 Comments
First Person Gender Issues

Fifty Shades of White

Having the blessing – or curse – of lighter skin is a double edged sword. I never gave much thought to the idea that society needs positive cultural images of minorities until I came to embrace my Hispanic heritage and come out of the closet.

Elaine May 28, 2013 9 Comments
First Person Gender Issues

Identity Theft: A Trans* Intersex Woman On Traumas and Surgery

“It’s unfortunate, unfair and illogical that intersex people get assigned a gender and a sex and are expected to either stick with them or fix someone else’s mistake with expensive, risky surgery on their genitals.”

A. S. May 16, 2013 41 Comments
First Person Gender Issues

I’m A Trans Woman And I’m Not Interested In Being One of the “Good Ones”

If you present in a traditionally feminine way, you’re just being a misogynistic parody of a woman, and if you fail to present in a traditionally feminine way, well ha! There’s the proof that you’re not really a woman right there.

Vivian May 15, 2013 316 Comments
Gender Health Issues

It’s Not Okay: Intimate Partner Violence in Radical Queer Spaces

“She acts like she’s such a victim when obviously there was abuse on both sides.” Awkwardly, I shrug my shoulders and look around the room. My partner doesn’t notice how uncomfortable she’s making me because she’s caught up in her own conjectures: “It’s like how we are sometimes.”

Emma May 8, 2013 24 Comments
Gender Issues

On Faith And Gender, Or Why I Dress Like A Man On Fridays

“It boils down to a simple decision: dress like a man, or lose part of my faith.”

Maryam March 25, 2013 69 Comments
Gender Issues

Call and Response: On Body Snarking and The Word “Tr*nny”

“If you do feel the need to ask if someone is transgender or not, first ask yourself why. Why is it your business? Why do you need to know? And will it change anything you think about this person?”

Cora March 20, 2013 76 Comments
Coming Out First Person Issues

“And I Do Mean All My Life”: A Trans* Coming Out Letter

For anyone who’s ever wanted to say it in a letter.

Sarah Szabo March 8, 2013 46 Comments

From the Archives

  • Six Accidental Educators Who Unintentionally Taught Me I Was Queer
  • Things I Read That I Love #259: The Chardonnay Wedged Between the Orange Juice and the Mayonnaise.
  • Boobs on Your Tube: Surely There’s Still Queer Hope for Maya and Carina on “Station 19”

Latest Comments

  • pikakesergiakahananui Quiz: Which Lesbian Pasta Shape Are You? "thoughts i never thought i would have “Rigatoni? No that’s not sexy, it looks like a long tube. oh it…"

  • pikakesergiakahananui Quiz: Which Lesbian Pasta Shape Are You? "my partner got cavatappi but i think im more cavatappi (constantly spiraling vibes). they asked “why isnt vibrator on the…"

  • P999 game All 37 Surviving Lesbian Bars In the U.S. "This post is amazing! I had no idea how many lesbian bars there are across the country. It’s great to…"

  • F. Agottini Quiz: Which Lesbian Pasta Shape Are You? "FAGOTTINI LET’S GOOOO"

Latest Posts

  • Quiz: Which Lesbian Pasta Shape Are You?
  • Satanic Slasher Series ‘Hell Motel’ Has Lesbians and Blood Sacrifice if You’re Into That Sort of Thing
  • AF+ Crossword Has a Few Tricks Up Its Sleeve
  • Will Everyone Always Seem Second-Best to My Ex?
  • 28 Best LGBT TV Shows on Peacock

Our Network

  • Store
  • For Them

About Us

  • What is AS?
  • Meet The Team
  • Press
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Write for Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy

Follow Us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Instagram
  • RSS

Copyright 2009 - 2025 The Excitant Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Comment Policy

Read ad-free: join AF MEDIA