Before we get into the nitty gritty, I want to start out this week's discussion by thanking you all for participating in the group reading thus far. I have been trying get this off the ground for a while and it's nice to finally see it take off and more specifically see it be used for educational purposes following a community-wide struggle session on trans issues. I never would have anticipated such immense pushback from the community on such a minor issue; I saw a lot of misconceptions, hate, and outright refusal to listen to and understand those affected by the matter.

Seeing it all unfold in real-time was very surreal and alienating and I suspect a lot of other trans people here felt that way too. But like your stereotypical Christian who turns to the Bible in times of confliction and confusion, I looked to comrade Leslie Feinberg for guidance and found a few little passages that really stood out to me on the matter of the struggle sessions:

  1. "Together, I believe we can forge a coalition that can fight on behalf of your oppression as well as mine. Together, we can raise each other's grievances and win the kind of significant change we all long for. But the foundation of unity is understanding." (pg. 6)
  2. "Misconceptions have been a barrier between our communities. In order to have any real dialogue, it means we must all listen carefully to each other." (pg. 22)
  3. "None of us can ever be free while others are still in chains. That's the truth underlying the need for solidarity. Trans liberation is inextricably linked to other movements for equality and justice." (pg. 48)
  4. "Revealing the need for solidarity takes patient education." (pg. 50)

While the response was alienating, seeing cis folks participating has been very reassuring that there are people here willing to listen to the struggles of trans people, challenge their own misconceptions on trans issues, and strive to be better allies to help fight on our behalf. And I'm grateful for the trans folks who are willing to participate in this and have a dialogue with anyone who is seeking to better understand our lived experiences. I truly appreciate everyone involved with this educational session. You're all based as fuck. O7

Now that all the mushy gushy shit is outta the way, drop as many quotes, thoughts, comments, concerns, ah-ha moments as you like in the comments and shoot to be actively commenting on other people's notes throughout the day as well.

This thread will be featured for 24 hours then will remain pinned in !transenby_liberation for the remainder of the week until next Saturday. Rinse and repeat.

original thread
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  • TransComrade69 [she/her,ze/hir]13•4 years ago

    Even at gunpoint, I would not choose a different path in life. My determination to remain a person who I can be proud of has made all of my views and insights and consciousness possible. It has made me see more clearly how many other lives in society are being limited through forms of discrimination and injustice. It has illuminated my relationship to them as an ally, and steeled my resolve to spend my life actively working for a world in which economic and social equality, and freedom of self-expression, are the birthrights of every person. (pg. 29)

    This. Just this. There isn't a single thing I'd change about my life thus far. I don't wish I were born a cis female and I don't wish I could've just been comfortable in my body as a cis male. I'm proud of myself for going down this path in life and it truly has been an eye opening experience. Before transitioning, I was just kind of an average, tall, bearded, white dude - nothing too impressive about me. I did volunteer work but I think a lot of my privilege prevented me from truly empathizing with hurt I kept seeing in people's eyes. Coming out, I was prepared to be treated differently for who I am, but I never thought about how that might strengthen my relationship with the suffering of others as tremendously as it has. Every instance of hatred, mistreatment, and alienation I've received and every feeling of fear, guilt, doubt, and self-hatred I've felt has only increased my desire to help others in any way I can and to fight for the rights of those who cannot fight for themselves.

    I've frequently joked about being a Leslie Feinberg fangirl or this being a Leslie Feinberg fan account, hell even the bottom of the trans comm's sidebar is filled with their writing, haha. But Leslie Feinberg is a major role model for me as I believe ze truly exemplifies what it means to be a leftist. I aspire to have even a fraction of hir courage, strength, perseverance in the face of adversity, and will to fight and stand up for what's right. Hir writing has been paramount to my own outlook on life and my development as a transgender person. I very much wish I could remember the person who introduced me to their writings because I would never stop thanking them.