...and then they came for the trans* people.

themothking:

tooyoungforthelivingdead:

Transgender people in Greece are now being rounded up and detained in a continuation of the social cleansing of the “undesirables”.

FUCK.

THIS.

Pay attention. Pay attention. Pay attention. Pay attention.

(via fancybidet)

Source: tooyoungforthelivingdead

A Queer One From The Start: Beep boop this is your regularly-scheduled reminder that:

bittergrapes:

  • non-binary trans people exist
  • passing privilege is a thing
  • not every trans person socially or medically transitions
  • you cannot always tell by looking at a person if they are trans
  • being ‘stealth’ or ‘in the closest’ does not mean that a queer/trans person lacks self-respect or confidence because there are many Very Serious barriers to social transition/openness about trans or queer status and it’s very presumptuous to assume that everyone has the luxury of being out to everyone 100% of the time
  • a trans person presenting as their assigned gender does not mean that they are not trans
  • no one has to adhere to the social preconceptions of gender regardless of trans status, but people who do adhere to them are not weak or less deserving of respect
  • there is no such thing as Trans Enough
  • trans people can be transmisogynist, binarist, cissexist, heterosexist, racist, sexist, sizeist, ableist, and any other -ist, and their trans status does not make them immune to criticism
  • trans people aren’t inspiration porn or pity porn
  • it is okay to change gender labels multiple times because gender is fluid and it doesn’t make you a ‘special snowflake’ or whatever
  • all pronouns are imaginary and invented so shut up about ‘weird’ pronouns
  • respect pronouns, respect gender identities, don’t be an asshole

thank u 4 reading here is a corgi for A+ listening skills

image

(via ohwhatatragiccost)

Source: bittergrapes

Time for Me to Tell People to Step Off: Genderqueer

ohwhatatragiccost:

Kids, we need to have a sit down talk right now.

If you identify as trans*, you need to respect other people under the trans* umbrella. That means people who have binary identities need to back the fuck up on calling genderqueer and non-binary folk “transtrenders” and other bullshit like that. And it means those who ARE non-binary should stop looking down on people who identify as male or female as unenlightened. Both of these points of view are idiotic, immature, hateful, and divisive. They do nothing for the trans* community. They do nothing to keep us safe or give us rights. They do nothing to prove the validity of your trans* status or to bolster your right to your identity. You already have that right. You have it. Only you can decide that.

And because only you can choose to call yourself trans*, only you have the right to your gender identity, you also ONLY HAVE THE RIGHT TO YOURS. You do not get to tell someone else their identity is false. If you do that, you are a hypocrite. People talking down to genderqueer people, or to binary identified trans*folk are DICKS and are overstepping the very lines they themselves demand for their own minds and bodies. SHUT UP. That is not your place. If that is your place, everyone else has the right to devalue your own assertions. No one here wants that. No one wants to take your own identity from you. STOP DOING THE SAME TO OTHERS. STOP IT. Genderqueer hate is transphobia. Binary gender hate is transphobia. Stop being an enemy to your community.

This. Yes.

Also basically the word “transtrender” needs to be banned from use. Oh, I see, you have magical ESP and can tell immediately from someone’s presence (ON THE INTERNET, most of the time) whether or not they’re a “real” trans person, because everyone wants to sign right up for that.

100 Amazing Trans Americans You Should Know

An independent filmmaker in Oakland, the executive director of the only LGBT center in Queens, an advocate for trans students, the first trans reality-television star, trans pioneers, as well as emerging trans voices are all included in the inaugural Trans 100.

The brainchild of We Happy Trans’ Jen Richards and Antonia D’orsay, executive director of This Is How, the Trans 100 represents an effort — which will hopefully be reflected across the LGBT community — to break down implicit (and explicit) transphobia in media coverage by highlighting the diversity of trans Americans.

Very cool - go check it out!

anlevines: truthisweirder: From the designer: My Facebook and G+ newsfeeds have been filled with pink and red lately, so it seemed important to point out to the queer and allied in my life that Human Rights Campaign actually has a track record of promoting some rights at the expense of others. Being a fairly rough-and-tumble sort of cisgender queer man, I waded in. It’s frankly unconscionable; transgender rights are integral to queer liberation, and moreover transfolks are our sisters and brothers, have shed the same blood, sweat, and tears in horrifying numbers for the same goals. The fact that names like Virginia Prince and Sylvia Rae Rivera aren’t as prominent in our histories as Harvey Milk says, I think, all it needs to about the need for some pink and purple soul-searching. Go forth and introspect. Visually, too, I think the HRC equality logo leaves a bit to be desired, but I made minimal changes. The colors are based on the transgender pride flag designed by Monica Helms in 1999, the most widely used of several designs and to my eye, the most pleasing. Considering that HRC seems to be continuing to give lip service to trans folks while throwing them under the bus, this is important and timely. People need to know that the most visible LGBT “equality” organization out there continues to only fight for gay and lesbian equality at the expense of everyone else.Trans allies, please repost. (And don’t give money to HRC.) The lack of notes on this is troubling to me.
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anlevines:

truthisweirder:

From the designer:

My Facebook and G+ newsfeeds have been filled with pink and red lately, so it seemed important to point out to the queer and allied in my life that Human Rights Campaign actually has a track record of promoting some rights at the expense of others. Being a fairly rough-and-tumble sort of cisgender queer man, I waded in.

It’s frankly unconscionable; transgender rights are integral to queer liberation, and moreover transfolks are our sisters and brothers, have shed the same blood, sweat, and tears in horrifying numbers for the same goals. The fact that names like Virginia Prince and Sylvia Rae Rivera aren’t as prominent in our histories as Harvey Milk says, I think, all it needs to about the need for some pink and purple soul-searching. Go forth and introspect.

Visually, too, I think the HRC equality logo leaves a bit to be desired, but I made minimal changes. The colors are based on the transgender pride flag designed by Monica Helms in 1999, the most widely used of several designs and to my eye, the most pleasing.

Considering that HRC seems to be continuing to give lip service to trans folks while throwing them under the bus, this is important and timely.

People need to know that the most visible LGBT “equality” organization out there continues to only fight for gay and lesbian equality at the expense of everyone else.

Trans allies, please repost. (And don’t give money to HRC.)

The lack of notes on this is troubling to me.

(via themegs)

Source: truthisweirder

Five Ways Cis Feminists Can Help Build Trans Inclusivity And Intersectionality

1) Be willing to confront instances of transphobia, cissexism, cisnormativity, cis-centrism, cis privilege and other forms of destructive bias where you find them (especially when you find them within feminist, activist or queer spaces), not through “call outs” or other toxic, self-defeating or abusive strategies, but by taking the opportunity for genuine discourse.

2) Don’t take a purely passive, reactive approach. Rather than waiting for things like someone saying something overtly cissexist, or a trans person bringing up a particular concern, be willing to proactively introduce trans issues, or trans-relevant aspects of broader issues, to feminist discourse. Likewise, proactively treat possible consequences, perspectives and concerns relevant to trans people and trans experiences as being not only significant but essential to all feminist issues and conversations.

3) Don’t assume any given issue is strictly, or even primarily, relevant to cis women. All feminist concerns are also transgender concerns, and vice versa. There are no feminist dialogues in which trans voices “don’t belong”, or to which trans voices have “nothing to add”. There are no social issues related to gender that don’t have consequences for trans people.

4) Proactively seek out transgender voices, perspectives and input on all issues, not simply what you regard as “trans issues” or situations where the value of such perspectives is immediately obvious to you. Come to us, rather than waiting for us to come to you.

5) Don’t treat the larger social conflict of gender as being dialectic or binary in nature. Don’t assume a unidirectional model of gender-based oppression.

If you have a printer, print this out. If you don’t have a printer, befriend someone who does, and print this out.

(via loveisfluid)

Source: loveyourrebellion

Sadie, 11-Year-Old Transgender Girl, Writes Essay In Response To Obama's Inauguration Speech

riotrite:

midwestgenderqueer:

dude. this is awesome, and a real “I told you so” moment for us. I’d like to see LG boosters go against an adorable, well spoken 11 year old. This is exactly what my blog  this week was talking about.

Preach.

I love this little kid and I’m proud of her parents for letting her be herself and encouraging her to speak out for her own rights. I hope someday she finds herself in an accepting community with friends and adults around her who aren’t scared to say anything and I hope our world improves so that those communities aren’t few and far between.

(I also appreciated the commenter that added respectfully that the article does draw a bit of attention away from the fact that trans women were at the center of the Stonewall riots and so it’s important to remember that a mention of Stonewall shouldn’t just evoke gay rights but also trans rights since it HINGES on the experiences of trans people. But probably Sadie doesn’t know that, and all the things she says in her letter are absolutely true. …also, trigger warning for the comments. Some people are really stupid.)

(via sparkz-achive)

Source: transqueery

queerplusfashion:

werqaholic:

thetestshot:

The Test Shot spent an evening with Open Barbers- a queer haircut social space run by Felix Bear Lane and Gerygory James Vass in Finsbury Park, London. This video is a portrait of the kind of work they do, and captures the essence of why it is so important to feel that your identity is understood by your barber as a transmasculine or genderqueer person. 

“Inclusive, friendly, queer, informal, dapper.”

^^^My ideal queer community. I love this video. 

This is so fantastic! Wish there was a similar shop in my area

This is awesome. The space is awesome, the hair is awesome, the vid is awesome. The whole idea is awesome. Their Ff and Gg shirts are awesome. (The word “awesome” has stopped meaning anything.)

I wish there was a place like this near me. We have some very very cool unjudgy stylists in the city but it would still be nice to not be all pleased getting the haircut I want and feeling right and good and then suddenly having my heart sink when the stylist tells me assuredly that they’ve left something or cut something in some certain way because it adds a little extra touch of femininity to the particularly un-feminine or androgynous cut I’ve selected, which has happened a few times now. (And most of the time it even LOOKS fine, but it’s SAYING it that sucks.)

Source: thetestshot

stfusexists: tjjourian: kvltkunt: roseanne barr is a transphobe, don’t vote for her.  just don’t vote at all. I had mad respect for Roseanne Barr, until her true transphobic and transmisogynist colors showed. There are no words for how disgusting this is. And it’s not technically Facebook, but it’s wholly unacceptable.  And just on a practical, non-civil rights/decent human point: how is Roseanne going to the bathroom that the genitals of other bathroom goers are in her face?! I have never been to such a bathroom. I have been to bathrooms where I waited outside for my freshman year roommate, a trans man, to come out of the men’s room and make sure nothing bad happened. I feel certain that Roseanne has never been asked to do that.  Seriously, beyond the disgusting transphobia and biologic essentialism, what bathroom is she in exactly where some woman is putting a penis in her face?
Zoom Info
stfusexists: tjjourian: kvltkunt: roseanne barr is a transphobe, don’t vote for her.  just don’t vote at all. I had mad respect for Roseanne Barr, until her true transphobic and transmisogynist colors showed. There are no words for how disgusting this is. And it’s not technically Facebook, but it’s wholly unacceptable.  And just on a practical, non-civil rights/decent human point: how is Roseanne going to the bathroom that the genitals of other bathroom goers are in her face?! I have never been to such a bathroom. I have been to bathrooms where I waited outside for my freshman year roommate, a trans man, to come out of the men’s room and make sure nothing bad happened. I feel certain that Roseanne has never been asked to do that.  Seriously, beyond the disgusting transphobia and biologic essentialism, what bathroom is she in exactly where some woman is putting a penis in her face?
Zoom Info

stfusexists:

tjjourian:

kvltkunt:

roseanne barr is a transphobe, don’t vote for her.  just don’t vote at all.

I had mad respect for Roseanne Barr, until her true transphobic and transmisogynist colors showed.

There are no words for how disgusting this is. And it’s not technically Facebook, but it’s wholly unacceptable. 

And just on a practical, non-civil rights/decent human point: how is Roseanne going to the bathroom that the genitals of other bathroom goers are in her face?! I have never been to such a bathroom. I have been to bathrooms where I waited outside for my freshman year roommate, a trans man, to come out of the men’s room and make sure nothing bad happened. I feel certain that Roseanne has never been asked to do that. 

Seriously, beyond the disgusting transphobia and biologic essentialism, what bathroom is she in exactly where some woman is putting a penis in her face?

Source: kvltkunt

In Memoriam

stfusexists:

This is a list of trans people that have been killed in the last year. Today is TDOR, or Trans Day Of Remembrance. Please take a moment to remember these innocent people who lost their lives simply for being themselves. This list is far too long, and the losses are far too big to do justice.

This is why all of us - especially us, fellow cis people, because these murderers were no doubt cis themselves - need to keep fighting every day to bring this number down to zero. Nothing short of that is acceptable. Let’s work to make this list shorter next year, and every year after that. 

gqgqqt: mohandasgandhi: jillbiden: occupiedterritories: Have I mentioned lately how much I love Joey B? I can’t recall the last time I heard a politician talk about trans* issues… until now. REMEMBER HOW I KEEP TELLING YOU GUYS JOEY B IS AWESOME YEAH
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gqgqqt:

mohandasgandhi:

jillbiden:

occupiedterritories:

Have I mentioned lately how much I love Joey B?

I can’t recall the last time I heard a politician talk about trans* issues… until now.

REMEMBER HOW I KEEP TELLING YOU GUYS JOEY B IS AWESOME

YEAH

(via vincentvangodot)

Source: occupiedterritories

myqueertestimony: Testimony by JESS T. DUGAN, Boston and Chicago (www.jessdugan.com) Photo series titled: “Transcendence (2005-2012)” Artist Statement: In our society, it is assumed that there are only two genders, both of which come with very specific expectations and roles.  I aim to challenge that assumption by portraying people whose identity falls outside of these preconceived notions.  Transcendence is a collection of portraits within the transgender and gender variant community.  These photographs show that there are an endless number of gender identities, specific to each person, while illustrating that gender identity and biological sex are two distinct constructs.  More broadly, they call into question societal expectations about gender roles and how these expectations affect everyone, including those who are not a part of the transgender community. Through sharing individual experiences, this work honestly and openly portrays a community that is often overlooked, fetishized, or misrepresented.  It raises a dialogue about the fluidity of gender and the ways in which our current societal structure does not allow for variations outside of the mainstream.  In an effort to increase understanding, these images portray issues unique to the transgender community while also highlighting the shared experience of being human.  To view more portraits from Transcendence, click here.
Zoom Info
myqueertestimony: Testimony by JESS T. DUGAN, Boston and Chicago (www.jessdugan.com) Photo series titled: “Transcendence (2005-2012)” Artist Statement: In our society, it is assumed that there are only two genders, both of which come with very specific expectations and roles.  I aim to challenge that assumption by portraying people whose identity falls outside of these preconceived notions.  Transcendence is a collection of portraits within the transgender and gender variant community.  These photographs show that there are an endless number of gender identities, specific to each person, while illustrating that gender identity and biological sex are two distinct constructs.  More broadly, they call into question societal expectations about gender roles and how these expectations affect everyone, including those who are not a part of the transgender community. Through sharing individual experiences, this work honestly and openly portrays a community that is often overlooked, fetishized, or misrepresented.  It raises a dialogue about the fluidity of gender and the ways in which our current societal structure does not allow for variations outside of the mainstream.  In an effort to increase understanding, these images portray issues unique to the transgender community while also highlighting the shared experience of being human.  To view more portraits from Transcendence, click here.
Zoom Info
myqueertestimony: Testimony by JESS T. DUGAN, Boston and Chicago (www.jessdugan.com) Photo series titled: “Transcendence (2005-2012)” Artist Statement: In our society, it is assumed that there are only two genders, both of which come with very specific expectations and roles.  I aim to challenge that assumption by portraying people whose identity falls outside of these preconceived notions.  Transcendence is a collection of portraits within the transgender and gender variant community.  These photographs show that there are an endless number of gender identities, specific to each person, while illustrating that gender identity and biological sex are two distinct constructs.  More broadly, they call into question societal expectations about gender roles and how these expectations affect everyone, including those who are not a part of the transgender community. Through sharing individual experiences, this work honestly and openly portrays a community that is often overlooked, fetishized, or misrepresented.  It raises a dialogue about the fluidity of gender and the ways in which our current societal structure does not allow for variations outside of the mainstream.  In an effort to increase understanding, these images portray issues unique to the transgender community while also highlighting the shared experience of being human.  To view more portraits from Transcendence, click here.
Zoom Info
myqueertestimony: Testimony by JESS T. DUGAN, Boston and Chicago (www.jessdugan.com) Photo series titled: “Transcendence (2005-2012)” Artist Statement: In our society, it is assumed that there are only two genders, both of which come with very specific expectations and roles.  I aim to challenge that assumption by portraying people whose identity falls outside of these preconceived notions.  Transcendence is a collection of portraits within the transgender and gender variant community.  These photographs show that there are an endless number of gender identities, specific to each person, while illustrating that gender identity and biological sex are two distinct constructs.  More broadly, they call into question societal expectations about gender roles and how these expectations affect everyone, including those who are not a part of the transgender community. Through sharing individual experiences, this work honestly and openly portrays a community that is often overlooked, fetishized, or misrepresented.  It raises a dialogue about the fluidity of gender and the ways in which our current societal structure does not allow for variations outside of the mainstream.  In an effort to increase understanding, these images portray issues unique to the transgender community while also highlighting the shared experience of being human.  To view more portraits from Transcendence, click here.
Zoom Info
myqueertestimony: Testimony by JESS T. DUGAN, Boston and Chicago (www.jessdugan.com) Photo series titled: “Transcendence (2005-2012)” Artist Statement: In our society, it is assumed that there are only two genders, both of which come with very specific expectations and roles.  I aim to challenge that assumption by portraying people whose identity falls outside of these preconceived notions.  Transcendence is a collection of portraits within the transgender and gender variant community.  These photographs show that there are an endless number of gender identities, specific to each person, while illustrating that gender identity and biological sex are two distinct constructs.  More broadly, they call into question societal expectations about gender roles and how these expectations affect everyone, including those who are not a part of the transgender community. Through sharing individual experiences, this work honestly and openly portrays a community that is often overlooked, fetishized, or misrepresented.  It raises a dialogue about the fluidity of gender and the ways in which our current societal structure does not allow for variations outside of the mainstream.  In an effort to increase understanding, these images portray issues unique to the transgender community while also highlighting the shared experience of being human.  To view more portraits from Transcendence, click here.
Zoom Info
myqueertestimony: Testimony by JESS T. DUGAN, Boston and Chicago (www.jessdugan.com) Photo series titled: “Transcendence (2005-2012)” Artist Statement: In our society, it is assumed that there are only two genders, both of which come with very specific expectations and roles.  I aim to challenge that assumption by portraying people whose identity falls outside of these preconceived notions.  Transcendence is a collection of portraits within the transgender and gender variant community.  These photographs show that there are an endless number of gender identities, specific to each person, while illustrating that gender identity and biological sex are two distinct constructs.  More broadly, they call into question societal expectations about gender roles and how these expectations affect everyone, including those who are not a part of the transgender community. Through sharing individual experiences, this work honestly and openly portrays a community that is often overlooked, fetishized, or misrepresented.  It raises a dialogue about the fluidity of gender and the ways in which our current societal structure does not allow for variations outside of the mainstream.  In an effort to increase understanding, these images portray issues unique to the transgender community while also highlighting the shared experience of being human.  To view more portraits from Transcendence, click here.
Zoom Info
myqueertestimony: Testimony by JESS T. DUGAN, Boston and Chicago (www.jessdugan.com) Photo series titled: “Transcendence (2005-2012)” Artist Statement: In our society, it is assumed that there are only two genders, both of which come with very specific expectations and roles.  I aim to challenge that assumption by portraying people whose identity falls outside of these preconceived notions.  Transcendence is a collection of portraits within the transgender and gender variant community.  These photographs show that there are an endless number of gender identities, specific to each person, while illustrating that gender identity and biological sex are two distinct constructs.  More broadly, they call into question societal expectations about gender roles and how these expectations affect everyone, including those who are not a part of the transgender community. Through sharing individual experiences, this work honestly and openly portrays a community that is often overlooked, fetishized, or misrepresented.  It raises a dialogue about the fluidity of gender and the ways in which our current societal structure does not allow for variations outside of the mainstream.  In an effort to increase understanding, these images portray issues unique to the transgender community while also highlighting the shared experience of being human.  To view more portraits from Transcendence, click here.
Zoom Info
myqueertestimony: Testimony by JESS T. DUGAN, Boston and Chicago (www.jessdugan.com) Photo series titled: “Transcendence (2005-2012)” Artist Statement: In our society, it is assumed that there are only two genders, both of which come with very specific expectations and roles.  I aim to challenge that assumption by portraying people whose identity falls outside of these preconceived notions.  Transcendence is a collection of portraits within the transgender and gender variant community.  These photographs show that there are an endless number of gender identities, specific to each person, while illustrating that gender identity and biological sex are two distinct constructs.  More broadly, they call into question societal expectations about gender roles and how these expectations affect everyone, including those who are not a part of the transgender community. Through sharing individual experiences, this work honestly and openly portrays a community that is often overlooked, fetishized, or misrepresented.  It raises a dialogue about the fluidity of gender and the ways in which our current societal structure does not allow for variations outside of the mainstream.  In an effort to increase understanding, these images portray issues unique to the transgender community while also highlighting the shared experience of being human.  To view more portraits from Transcendence, click here.
Zoom Info
myqueertestimony: Testimony by JESS T. DUGAN, Boston and Chicago (www.jessdugan.com) Photo series titled: “Transcendence (2005-2012)” Artist Statement: In our society, it is assumed that there are only two genders, both of which come with very specific expectations and roles.  I aim to challenge that assumption by portraying people whose identity falls outside of these preconceived notions.  Transcendence is a collection of portraits within the transgender and gender variant community.  These photographs show that there are an endless number of gender identities, specific to each person, while illustrating that gender identity and biological sex are two distinct constructs.  More broadly, they call into question societal expectations about gender roles and how these expectations affect everyone, including those who are not a part of the transgender community. Through sharing individual experiences, this work honestly and openly portrays a community that is often overlooked, fetishized, or misrepresented.  It raises a dialogue about the fluidity of gender and the ways in which our current societal structure does not allow for variations outside of the mainstream.  In an effort to increase understanding, these images portray issues unique to the transgender community while also highlighting the shared experience of being human.  To view more portraits from Transcendence, click here.
Zoom Info
myqueertestimony: Testimony by JESS T. DUGAN, Boston and Chicago (www.jessdugan.com) Photo series titled: “Transcendence (2005-2012)” Artist Statement: In our society, it is assumed that there are only two genders, both of which come with very specific expectations and roles.  I aim to challenge that assumption by portraying people whose identity falls outside of these preconceived notions.  Transcendence is a collection of portraits within the transgender and gender variant community.  These photographs show that there are an endless number of gender identities, specific to each person, while illustrating that gender identity and biological sex are two distinct constructs.  More broadly, they call into question societal expectations about gender roles and how these expectations affect everyone, including those who are not a part of the transgender community. Through sharing individual experiences, this work honestly and openly portrays a community that is often overlooked, fetishized, or misrepresented.  It raises a dialogue about the fluidity of gender and the ways in which our current societal structure does not allow for variations outside of the mainstream.  In an effort to increase understanding, these images portray issues unique to the transgender community while also highlighting the shared experience of being human.  To view more portraits from Transcendence, click here.
Zoom Info

myqueertestimony:

Testimony by JESS T. DUGAN, Boston and Chicago (www.jessdugan.com)

Photo series titled: “Transcendence (2005-2012)”

Artist Statement:

In our society, it is assumed that there are only two genders, both of which come with very specific expectations and roles.  I aim to challenge that assumption by portraying people whose identity falls outside of these preconceived notions.  Transcendence is a collection of portraits within the transgender and gender variant community.  These photographs show that there are an endless number of gender identities, specific to each person, while illustrating that gender identity and biological sex are two distinct constructs.  More broadly, they call into question societal expectations about gender roles and how these expectations affect everyone, including those who are not a part of the transgender community.

Through sharing individual experiences, this work honestly and openly portrays a community that is often overlooked, fetishized, or misrepresented.  It raises a dialogue about the fluidity of gender and the ways in which our current societal structure does not allow for variations outside of the mainstream.  In an effort to increase understanding, these images portray issues unique to the transgender community while also highlighting the shared experience of being human. 

To view more portraits from Transcendence, click here.

(via sparkz-achive)

Source: myqueertestimony

Oklahoma judge bars trans people from changing names

trlr:

fuzzyhorns:

Oh cool I’m a fraudster in Oklahoma. “Citing the Bible, Judge Bill Graves says transgender men and women are changing their names for ‘fraudulent purposes’”

This only has 6 notes because… Why? This is important people.

(via picturaculminis)

Source: fuzzyhorns