Published November 25, 2024
I’m still barely functioning, although thanks to transcription software and other help I am still able to post. Until I find a charging station, though, I am going to let others tell most of the story that’s on my mind. (A charging station for me, Carly.)
Trans men are men. And “bathroom bills” that turn into laws have been known to shock proponents who haven’t thought the whole thing through.
The way this type of legislation locks in on people’s pre-transition physical selves, men will be forced into the women’s restrooms. I am not sure women are ready for the beards they might see and the deep voices they might hear.
Let me repeat: Trans men are men.
So much of this recycled panic is about trans women, people forget there are trans men.
And Mikel Jollett has a point.
I am an imperfect messenger, operating on fumes and fear. If I do nothing else, though, I hope to underscore the point that if you are telling any of this to people in a “Haha, wouldn’t that be funny” sort of way, you’re doing it wrong. This looming situation comes with threats of violence that are sometimes carried out. It’s life-and-death stuff for us, not something to riff about before moving on to other things.
Additional reading
Orion Rummler, The 19th: Congress has always been hostile to women trying to use the bathroom
Sam Levin, The Guardian: trans rights case at US supreme court features doctors previously discredited by judges
Adam M. Rhodes, The Appeal: As Anti-Trans Bills Target Prisoners, Some Warn of a ‘Canary in the Coal Mine’
Adam M. Rhodes, The Appeal: New Jersey Rolls Back Protections for Trans Prisoners
Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg, Meg O’Connor, The Appeal: Georgia prisons won’t provide gender-affirming care, lawsuit alleges
Julia Serano, Medium: A ‘Gender Critical’ and ‘TERF’ primer
And now for some good news
“Sade Shares Rare Family Footage of Her and Trans Son Izaak in ‘Young Lion’ Music Video — Watch!”
She doesn’t know it, but Sade got me through most of my 12-day hospitalization in 2019 after two emergency surgeries. I didn’t think I could love her more, but I do.
Photo of trans man with trans pride flag by Guillem de Balanzo via Shutterstock.