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Is ANYONE going to stand up to Trump’s INSANITY?
That ain’t no way to treat us.
This post first appeared on my Patreon. I’ve been traveling in Brazil and following some tech challenges could post only on my Patreon. If you’re not already a member on there, this might be a good time to join.
As I continue to travel here in Brazil I am falling into a routine of listening to the news as I shower and prepare for the day.
I wash and shave, even with HRT there’s still a little shadow there. I don’t really suffer from dysmorphia, but I really don’t like facial hair. It is something of a reminder of something I want to leave behind. So I shave thoroughly, as the BBC newscast goes on and I hear of further erosion of trans rights in the US.
In the mirror I see the reflection of my upper body. I see the curve of my breasts and I brush my hair, now long and lustrous after years of care.
On one breast I have the names of Nex Benedict and Brianna Ghey tattooed, memorializing two of the many trans people who have been tragically taken before their time. I honor them and say their names each morning.
I say a prayer for all my trans sisters as I ready myself for the day. That reflection reminds me that the sun will still come up, I am still transgender, and no executive order will change that fact. The Gulf of Mexico is still the Gulf of Mexico, and life does go on.
The actions of one insecure little man will not change any of this. It is still a wonderful world. Those who mistreat us define themselves through their cruelty.
We will still be here.
J.K. Rowling is at it again!
Not content to spread hate through her vitriolic claims that trans people want to take over the world, J.K. Rowling had a run at John Oliver recently.
Some time ago I made the suggestion that while we did love J.K’s Harry Potter series, we can show our disdain to her misguided and heartless attacks on the community by placing her books for sale on Craigslist and FB Marketplace, and then donating any proceeds directly to Trans organizations such as:
https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/ – https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/?form=donate
https://transrescue.org/ – https://transrescue.org/donations/donate
In most of the world, sport unites us.
The original olympic ideals were excellence, respect and friendship. I know these are qualities my membership value. When we hear about people excluding trans people from sport, and keep in mind this targets a tiny number of athletes, don’t be fooled into thinking they’re arguing a ‘fairness’ issue. It’s purely a dog whistle to create a negative talking point about us.
Instead, lets stay focused on the real issues here. Competing with friends, at a school, local or international level, should always be about friendships, respect and excellence. It should never be about finding a way to create a political fracture between people who simply enjoy sport.
Enjoy this from Mia. And be sure to help her out with a Patreon membership – she works hard for it.
The JK Rowling Problem.
I think we can all agree, the Harry Potter stories were pretty damned good. She’s a good writer. OK. Got it.
There’s a problem, though. JK’s recent rants about trans people have all the hallmarks of someone who has got hold of an issue, and even though they know it’s wrong, they just can’t put it down. Whether it’s arrogance, or ignorance, she simply can’t put it down and move on. And she digs herself deeper and deeper into a hole, retweeting transphobic tweets, seemingly surprised that many people feel betrayed by her choice to echo hate speech and support bigots online.
Many of us read her stories to our children and when seeing her recent rambling vitriol feel personally insulted. Sadly with all her millions, she has not acquired good judgement. Instead she bleats out her messages unfiltered, as though she’s talking to an audience of a few dozen. Instead her massive megaphone influences millions.
As she continues to sound off like the demented neighbourhood weirdo, who doubtless has 27 cats in her house and no friends, she broadcasts sometimes carefully worded – but damaging and hateful content – to her 15 million followers.
There is something you can do about it, though. I don’t condone book burning, as much as it seems tempting in this case. Instead I suggest you go and get all those JK Rowling books, and advertise them on Facebook Marketplace, or wherever you choose to sell them, and then donate the proceeds to a trans friendly charity. Taking her words and putting them to work for us is about the only positive thing one can do. When you advertise them be sure to mention that you’re donating the proceeds to a trans friendly charity. Here are a few suggestions that may be suitable: –
https://www.gofundme.com/f/briannagheymemorial
The Brianna Ghey Story – https://fionadobson.com/brianna-ghey-we-will-not-forget/
Mathew Shepherd Foundation – The Nex Benedict Story – https://fionadobson.com/owasso-police-department-fail-to-safeguard-children/
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
The Trevor Project
Glsen.
JK Rowling’s stories were entertaining in the past. Her recent forays into fiction have been uninspired, as she ironically writes under a masculine pen name ‘Robert Galbraith’. How screwed up is that? However, like the court jester she once was, we can laugh at her antics, but that doesn’t mean we’d take advice from her about issues like human rights, thank you very much!
Fiona
Owasso Police Department fail to safeguard children.
Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old non-binary high school student, loved nature and watching the television show The Walking Dead. Nex enjoyed drawing, reading and playing Ark and Minecraft. Nex also had a cat, Zeus, whom they loved. Nex’s family trace part of their roots to the Choctaw Nation, and were on a journey to understanding more about Nex’s identity – like many other parents of transgender and non-binary youth. On February 7, 2024, Nex was brutally and viciously beaten inside a bathroom at Owasso High School in Owasso, Oklahoma, where Nex was a student. Nex was taken to the hospital and released, only to be readmitted the following day. On February 8, 2024, Nex succumbed to sustained injuries and tragically died.
Wondering where the police were during this incident? Yes, so is everyone else. You can call the Owasso Police Department at 918-272-2244 to ask them. Here’s their website – https://www.cityofowasso.com/161/Police-Department
Police Chief Yancey – public protector or coward?
You can ask the Police Chief why his staff are incapable for protecting children in his region by reaching out to him here –
Dan Yancey
Chief of Police
Phone: 918-376-1564
Gender Criticals And White Nationalism
Today we’re discussing the proposed change to the UK Equality Act and how absurd and unworkable it is, as well as the unignorable link between gender critical activism and white nationalism.
Please consider making a donation to Gendered Intelligence, a trans-led and trans involved grassroots UK organisation with three key departments. One provides education and training for professionals, organisations, schools, colleges and other educational settings. Another department runs a number of youth and community services where young gender variant people can meet, socialise and learn as well as get 1 to 1 support from a trans youth worker.
The third GI department focuses on Public Engagement, running campaigns that challenge misinformation, provide consultations and interviews and more. https://genderedintelligence.co.uk/su…
The importance of being Visible.
For years people have used coded messages to convey hidden meanings. They do so to garner support from others who can read those messages. It signals that we are stronger together, and that we are not alone.
I lived in South Africa during the apartheid years. Seeing many different ways in which an authoritarian was resisted opened my eyes to the importance of daily conscious energy to progressively move the margins of society in the direction needed. It’s rarely a cataclysmic shift that makes a difference. Revolutions are, by definition, out of the ordinary. To shift the zeitgeist one has to do so a fraction of an inch at a time. Everyday. Never giving up.
As distasteful as it sounds we see alliance displays very clearly when watching MAGA crowds. Yes, I know – just try to hold onto your lunch. Whether it’s the red ball cap, the simple letter ‘Q’ or a single finger raised in a one arm salute, you can witness non-verbal messaging at play. Now, I don’t counsel watching any MAGA rallies. If I want to watch a bunch of losers displaying their failed understanding of politics I need only look at some January 6th footage from the Capitol. I try to avoid doing so within half an hour of eating. But hyperbole aside, these methods of unifying support are often very effective. In the case of large crowds it’s all rather moronic, a little like believing a message gets better by shouting it louder. Natalie Wynn describes this very well in one of her videos HERE.
For a smaller group, a minority for example such as trans people, being able to identify our own supporters and allies is important. Imagine being lost in a crowd, possibly hostile, and having no idea who one’s allies are. Perhaps it’s everyone around you – or perhaps none. For this reason I am a strong proponent of carrying symbols that convey support for trans, bi and LGBTQ values. I show my colors, as it were. I also know that while not everyone will recognise my message, many people who are aligned with me will recognise the symbols and take some comfort from them.
The idea of this is not to provoke. It’s to signal to allies, ‘Yes, I am here.’ Not everyone needs to be a Valkyrie or social justice warrior. My intention is not to create a combative atmosphere – something that does nothing o appeal to the feminine side of my personality. I’d rather bring change through quietly reasoned self awareness of what is morally right. Gently assuring our sisters and friends, these are my choices and I am unashamed of them is important.
With that in mind, especially as we move toward election cycles I do suggest members actively ‘flag’ themselves. This can take the form of a simple button, a tee shirt or even the simple color choice in an outfit. It’s true that some people may see such signals and take them to be provocative, however if that’s the case you’ve just forced a bigot to reveal themselves, which is better than not knowing who the bigot in a party is.
With his in mind I’ve got a special page on my site with a few ideas for some subtle and other not so subtle trans supporting ideas. My personal favorite is a button saying ‘404 Error – Gender Not Found’.
Check it out and perhaps you can adopt one or two of the ideas.
😊
Fiona