A common refrain in trans activism is to “give us our roses while we’re still here” instead of just honoring us upon our deaths. Donating to, uplifting, and otherwise supporting Black trans-led projects like the Okra Project is a tangible way we can do exactly that.
For this piece, I talked to some trans women about their names and their experiences changing them legally (or choosing not to), as well as a couple of the incredible organizations attempting the make the process more accessible to all of us.
A lot of people pack! It’s most commonly talked about and practiced in trans men’s circles, but packing is actually something very accessible for absolutely everyone that feels like doing it. Packing doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated, I promise; it can just be fun and affirming!
If I could tell everyone how to differentiate between gender expression feels and gender feels, I’d be Sovereign Ruler of Gender and maybe things would be easier, but probably also a lot less fun.
“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.
I feel like I am not the only one here crying about my gender, and you should know a) that you’re not alone and b) sheet masks can help.
“It’s common to want to tell everyone about your newfound realization about your identity, so that you can feel like you’re living authentically and with integrity. But you get to do whatever feels best to you!”
“You make me proud to be Mexican, proud to be fat, proud to be queer and proud to be trans. You make me proud to be myself. I love you and thank you.”
“If we are going to mourn our lost trans siblings, family and community members publicly, we need to do right by our community and contextualize their deaths with accuracy and intention.”
Non-binary does not mean the same thing to a single one of us. We’re all super nervous to talk about it in public, though!
Acclaimed pop singer and songwriter Teddy Geiger came out as trans on her Instagram and Twitter.
For Transgender Day of Remembrance, I went to the City of West Hollywood’s event and talked to some of the community and those elected to serve about what TDoR means to them, what they’re doing to fight for the living, and what we can do every day.
“When I think about Trans Day of Remembrance and how I’ve survived to see another one, I know that it’s because of my family.”
Binding for the first time can be exciting and confusing; here are some tips!
“To me, being masculine-of-center means boyishness, it means blurring gender lines, it means a more vulnerable and delicate form of masculinity. It gives me the freedom to not fulfill expectations based on my assigned gender and body.”
“Over the last year and a half, I went from my trans identity being something I was in touch with and worked through in one way or another, to suddenly this shift where it’s on the front burner. Now it’s time to become a whole person.”
Nearly all those murdered, including Faulkner, have been Black trans women.
Nine out of the ten trans people reported murdered this year have been Black; the tenth was a Native American woman.
“So, are menstrual bags good, or are they bad? Do they empower women, or further constrict them? It becomes obvious that this is not a zero-sum game, and Moore illuminates the coexistence of multiple conflicting truths.”
Across the country, Black TGNC people are performing serious emotional labor as organizers, healers, artists, sexual liberationists, and advocates. It’s time to give back.
