It is the blight (wo)man was born for.

(Source: fcyeah)

myqueertestimony:

Titled: “Pronouns ain’t what they used to be: A TRANSGENERATION grammar primer”

The two-party system of pronouns is outdated, as there are a range of people whose gender stories are more complex. Finding self-descriptive language that feels right can be a tricky process, and one that only the individual can determine best. Some transgender folks identify as male or female, though it’s the opposite gender of the one assigned at birth. Genderqueers don’t subscribe to the idea of only two genders and may feel more comfortable somewhere in between. Bigenders identify as male and female and some First Nations folks embody both feminine and masculine spirits. Agenders identify as no gender at all. Luckily, there are more neutral personal pronoun options now, including they/their, ze/hir, ey/eir and the newborn, Swedish ‘hen’ . Recognition of diverse gender identities has a long history around the world, and neutral pronouns are language’s way of catching up.

So, where does this leave you? When you’re mingling at a party, heading up a meeting, or in school, just be mindful of the potential for multiple genders in the room. If you’re unsure of someone’s preferred pronouns, don’t be afraid to ASK. Once you learn them, use them every time, like you would for anyone else. Not being that person can be as simple as that.

Want to learn more? Check out:

• Melissa Harris-Perry hosts an awesome show on MSNBC. Watch her recent episode on being transgender in America.
• Queer women of color talk gender, during Episode 2 of the phenomenal web series The Peculiar Kind.
• This interactive map lets you learn the names, history and culture of different gender identities around the world.
• Transgender People of Color Coalition work together to address issues that impact trans men and women of color. Get involved!
• Genderfork is an amazing online, volunteer run community for people across the gender spectrum to connect. Here you’ll find photos, words of encouragement and opportunities to make friends.
• BLITZ is a comprehensive nationwide resource guide and online community for all people under the transgender umbrella and their allies.

(image via The Corner Window)

Published by The Sundance Channel: SUNfiltered blog, 5/8/12

vizzz:

vizzz:

(twenty trans women who were killed by hate crimes.)

the women pictured here are, row by row:

bella evangelista, agnes torres sulca, amanda gonzalez andujar, chanelle pickett, angie zapata

emonie spaulding, deoni jones, duanna johnson, myra chanel ical, gwen araujo

rita hester, sanesha stewart, paige clay, ruby ordeñana, robyn browne

stacey blahnik lee, taysia elzy, victoria carmen white, venus xtravaganza, and tyli mack. 

why did i focus on trans women? because trans women are ignored. why didn’t i make this project about trans men? because trans men are everywhere. trans men aren’t getting killed. yes, there have been trans men killed in the past, but the sheer difference in numbers is incomparable.

why did i make this project? because, since trans women are ignored, NOBODY KNOWS THESE WOMEN’S NAMES. nobody, on a mainstream level, knows what happened to them. i had to DIG to find information about these women. this project is actually one of the more comprehensive lists available of women killed in hate crimes. a list that contain all of these women’s names does not exist anywhere else on the internet.

who is this project helping? this project is helping trans women by drawing attention to the sheer amount of women killed that nobody’s heard of and that the media has skimmed over.

with the knowledge that i gained in doing research to make this project, it would be ridiculous to NOT make this project. these women’s names are not known. should i just have kept the information to myself and not done anything to memorialize them?

it’s great to call people out when they do something problematic, and it’s true that i am both white and cis and will never know what it’s like to deal with the oppression of being trans, but saying “why didn’t you include men in this project” is not a legitimate critique. 

(Source: transinboots)

genderqueer:

Argentina JUST PASSED a groundbreaking gender identity bill!!!

From now on, people will be able to change the name and gender on their ID without needing psychiatric permission or any body modifications. Furthermore, anyone who does want hormones or surgery will be able to access them for free through the public and private health system.

It was passed unanimously today by the Senate :-D

thespiritwas:

Sylvia Rivera at Albany protest in 1971

She’s my age in this picture.