Let Iranian people know You care- keep their movement going. A massive wave of protests for human rights in Iran sparked by the death of 22 Year old Mahsa Amini (who should be honored by her Kurdish name Jina or Zhina Amini as that is an important intersection of her identity) who passed away after being beaten to death by “Morality Police”. Social media has already been shut down in order to shut down momentum and silence protesters. Iranians are asking for anyone who can to continue the pressure and visibility by sharing the hashtag. This is one of the largest successful rights protests in Iran for a while and the support will help keep people in the light and in the press to ensure protections. Comment below to let people know that You support them. The more You type the hashtag the more powerful it gets!
The results were different this time⬇️⬇️🦩 I’ve done this experiment prior to Covid-19 and in it I found that it was far more dangerous and confrontational to enter the women’s restroom in gender nonconformity. People hit, shouted, and even had me dragged out. However in a new 2022 study of over 75 binary bathrooms tested (in london area) things were noticeably shifted. I was stopped and confronted about an equal number of times in both restrooms. People in the mens room were more likely to get security involved than before. People in the womens room were more likely to accept that I was allowed to be in there if I explained. But people in the mens room were more likely to demand proof of some kind. Such as an ID or even use of urinals. Overall both were unsafe feeling at times. But to the credit- I felt safer in the womens room than the mens for the majority of the time (and for the first time since doing these experiments). Although in the womens room I have always felt a huge amount of empathy or guilt whenever my natural aesthetic scares someone because I know that fear is rooted in trauma which is valid. But yet- if I have to use the bathroom on my “birth certificate” then this is what a “woman’s room attendee looks like”. Even in a dress I can get reported in the “womens room” often as a product of transphobia when people assume I’m a transwoman. Typically my encounters, even if I’m hit by someone, lead to me holding them in their trauma and telling them it will be ok. That weighs a lot on my conscience sometimes- creating that amount of disturbance and anguish just by existing. We still have a long way to go to create safe places for people just to relieve themselves. But for my safety for now- if I just want to feel the safest and don’t have capacity to educate- I’ll be using the mens room in a collared shirt or jacket. That seems the safest combo. #socialexperiment #genderfluid #genderequality #iami #reveal NOTE: The findings pertain to my personal experience. Different intersectionalities, individuals and locations may have different results. This was just me in this place at this time. NOTE: Do not attempt to do these experiments alone.
Are you our chosen family, too? 👀👉👈 It may feel a bit disconnected to be “family” online—but everyone here who shares this space with us, just know, WE CHOOSE YOU! 💕💞💓 And we love you. You’ve created a pathway for us, a safe space to create, and when things are toughest, you’ve inspired us with your personal stories, lessons, and advice to keep going. 🦋 What we can offer in return is something simple: unconditional, unrelenting, guaranteed safe space to rest without question. ✨ To be full of questions. To feel silent or loud. To shift direction and reinvent yourself. We are more connected to love than we often realize. If you need an affirmation of that, or want to affirm others than head to the comments. Say hello. ➡️ Do you feel connected to a chosen family online? How does your digital community comfort and inspire you? The people here are all extensions of your journey and proof that you are never truly alone. You always have us. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤎 We always have each other. Love, April Rain 🌈 @aprilkae @raindovemodel #lgbtqia #lgbtq #bff #bffgoals #bestfriendgoals #friendship #friendshipgoals #genderfluid #genderqueer
It’s never ceases to amaze me how complicated such a simple concept is. How dangerous. How upsetting. To say simply “I am I” with no follow up or specifics of label. No pronouns. There is a feeling of being threatened. As if I’ve betrayed an entire collective of people for saying “Refer to me by the sound I have chosen for myself, Rain. Refer to me as my actions, expressions and intentions. Refer to me as Your personal experience with me.” Often, they insist I MUST have a pronoun. I MUST have an idea adhered to my name that can be referred to in its place so that I am a collective idea/energy. So that I am a familiar pattern of speech. But I refuse. Call me as You wish, I do not bark at those who chose a familiar pronoun and run with it. I will not spite You or correct You as it’s not personally offensive to me. I understand the addiction to familiarity and tradition. However, I will always feel a little closer, more trusting, and more connected to those who those who try to use only my name. Because it means, one cares . And regardless of care, I will reciprocate that respect to You too. Our keys to freedom are interlocked within each other. We can choose to provide it or choose to cage those around us. But know this. No matter what one says or does to try to shackle me to a “sound”, they will never successfully splinter the truth of who I am. Because it is indeed the simplest form of the truth. I am I. (These images were by @trevorsorbie who decided to rid gendered pricing from their salons. They took a “risk” that paid out successfully. In doing so they also freed their customers from sexpectations.) Photog: @austnfischer Creative Director : @giuseppebstelitano Hair: @tizidima MUA: @miriamspanumakeup Styling: @francescakoof
It’s my birthday! Typically I share a video of smashing a cupcake into my face because I’m not sure how to process the passage of “time” haha. But this year I realized that I’ve spent my entire “adulthood” living like I was going to die. Unable to make long term plans, friends, spaces or visions. Being in the moment. That has allowed me to do INCREDIBLE things but also has lead to a lot of detriments and disappointments. We are often told through films or news that we will not have a long life and that the life we WILL have is highly likely to be solely suffering. Yet, even in places of great darkness on this planet people have shown me that joy, pride, romance, and light can still exist in our lives. I don’t know if You need to know this- but You CAN do hard things. You can do “impossible” things. You can find joy and purpose and power. You are loved. Here on this page and in this community we love You. So very very much. You deserve long term vision and investment. You deserve more than what You may have been told You will “have to settle for”. Thanks to those that made a safe space for me to make this video. It was hard to shoot 🥺 If You like the work I do and want to give something in this birthday- You can either send a tip to the PayPal link in my bio (very grateful for the support!)🥰 , comment here that You are one of the folx that loves the community as well/ a resource suggestion for those needing support, or share a meaningful hashtag like #mahsaamini or #trevorproject to keep the movements up. #lgbtq🌈 #birthday
I waited a year & a half to post these- and I almost just deleted them. Here’s why ⬇️ (*note following story contains some distressing themes- but it has a happy ending. Reader discretion advised. *) These images were taken over a year and a half ago when I had hit my bottom of bottoms spiritually and physically. I was drinking a lot, dealing with the turmoil of a tumultuous personal life, feeling inadequate to be enough to stop the gasping mountain of suffering people shared into my inbox that I desperately wanted to heal, I was broke, felt my career was over, and felt that the future held no art, I had cancer, wasn’t in the best physical health or mental health, and felt that I was just not able to be the being everyone and myself needed to the extent that was requested. I found myself crashing in a space in NYC during this pivotal time with @mrddayland . He was tapping back into his photography and one night we just had a super safe space and after not being in front of the camera for about a while, I found it surprisingly ok to just sit and shoot with this human. These are the images taken. Looking at them at the time I felt they had something special in them- but I also felt really ashamed because I could see the depression. The lines from stress and self neglect etched into my skin. The sunken gaze beneath the chainmail. The downturned lips usually a grin. A clear capture of the state I was in. 3 months later I would go on the journey I’ve shared here with yall that I decided to ethically end my life. It had come to that moment. That culmination. It’s only by a literal miracle of a natural phenomenon happening that I chose to live. A caterpillar attached itself to my shirt & turned into a moth. One of the most incredible things to ever happen to me. After a year and a half of VERY hard hard work I’ve found purpose greater than I could’ve imagined. Hope. Dips of defeatable depression. Joy. Rage. And LIFE again!! Choosing to live is sometimes our greatest form of revolution. I post these now not out of shame but pride for Pride that they remind me that I lived. I’ll leave there to always remind me. #pridemonth #lgbtq🌈 #storytime #genderqueer
I waited a year & a half to post these- and I almost just deleted them. Here’s why ⬇️ (*note following story contains some distressing themes- but it has a happy ending. Reader discretion advised. *) These images were taken over a year and a half ago when I had hit my bottom of bottoms spiritually and physically. I was drinking a lot, dealing with the turmoil of a tumultuous personal life, feeling inadequate to be enough to stop the gasping mountain of suffering people shared into my inbox that I desperately wanted to heal, I was broke, felt my career was over, and felt that the future held no art, I had cancer, wasn’t in the best physical health or mental health, and felt that I was just not able to be the being everyone and myself needed to the extent that was requested. I found myself crashing in a space in NYC during this pivotal time with @mrddayland . He was tapping back into his photography and one night we just had a super safe space and after not being in front of the camera for about a while, I found it surprisingly ok to just sit and shoot with this human. These are the images taken. Looking at them at the time I felt they had something special in them- but I also felt really ashamed because I could see the depression. The lines from stress and self neglect etched into my skin. The sunken gaze beneath the chainmail. The downturned lips usually a grin. A clear capture of the state I was in. 3 months later I would go on the journey I’ve shared here with yall that I decided to ethically end my life. It had come to that moment. That culmination. It’s only by a literal miracle of a natural phenomenon happening that I chose to live. A caterpillar attached itself to my shirt & turned into a moth. One of the most incredible things to ever happen to me. After a year and a half of VERY hard hard work I’ve found purpose greater than I could’ve imagined. Hope. Dips of defeatable depression. Joy. Rage. And LIFE again!! Choosing to live is sometimes our greatest form of revolution. I post these now not out of shame but pride for Pride that they remind me that I lived. I’ll leave there to always remind me. #pridemonth #lgbtq🌈 #storytime #genderqueer
Some Controversial Results ⬇️⬇️ 56/60 Rides in societally deemed “Womenswear” resulted in a stranger reaching out. 2/60 Rides in societally deemed “Menswear” resulted in a stranger reaching out. Interestingly enough for this London experiment, 66% of the people who asked if I was alright happened to be bipoc. 42% identified as mothers. Not one person told me to stop crying or slagged me off which was a change of pace from the original NYC experiment. 7/10 people when asked “why didn’t You say anything to the person in ‘menswear’?” Responded that they assumed I was- and I quote- “mentally unwell”. Many said that they just couldn’t tell if I were a safe person or not. When “male identifying” people were asked why they didn’t check in with the “womenswear” version of me- they said they didn’t want to come across as predatorial. A couple even asked other “female identifying” people on the train to help instead. 4/5 times if I were in “menswear” OR “womenswear” and engaged the person next to me they would ask if I were alright. Although some may have done so because they felt trapped by the situation. This experiment is important because it reflects not just cis men- but anyone in the community who dons something “masculine”. Trans men, non-binary, butch lesbians, transwomen in “noncomforming aesthetics” have all expressed to me that they feel more alone in 2022. I was chatting with @becomingjude and they also said that during their transition they felt a social transition as well to a more distant place in community. We often affiliate “masculinity” with violence and danger- so people create self respecting boundaries with people adjacent to our idea of “masculinity”. But can or will it ever change? What will it take? #lovewins #socialexperiment #genderbend #reveal NOTE: I do not represent all intersectionalities or identities. This experiment was reflective of the breadth of MY life in a place or time. Results may vary for others. Feel free to add Your own! NOTE: Do not attempt to do these experiments on Your own. NOTE: I identify as I. No and all gender. I do not think clothing has a gender but respect the right to gender labels and language.
It’s my birthday and I ever talk about my money etc. But here’s a fun story about what happened when I YOLO’d life, gave away every dollar I owned, and started over financially. Having been homeless 4 times in life, rebuilding myself up to a home/stability again, I wasn’t afraid to do this leap of faith. But it was harder to rebuild than I thought. So much went wrong that it really caused me to question the universe. However, ironically, by being forced to go back to doing manual labor for cash in hand survival- I ended up getting something I hadn’t had for years with financial abundance. I got healing. Time to reflect. Time to rebuild my body. And time to accept my life. Poor choices, mistakes and good works. Going into this 34th year of life, I am truly in the best place I’ve been in years. Absolutely excited to be part of this planet. And I am READY for this world. READY for this career. And READY to take on all that life offers. Thanks for everyone for making this path more possible. Thanks for always believing in me. For holding me accountable. For holding me tight. I love You. And I love being here with You. PS: DONT GUVE AWAY ALL YOUR MONEY UNLESS You REALLY REALLY ARE OK TO ACCEPT THE JOURNEY! PPS: Been alcohol free for 7 months 🙂 #lovewins #birthday #lgbtq #storytime #whatdoyouthink
A lot of “self care” things are just not accessible in this economy. Which is why I decided to do this collab with @bellesaco – because it’s an opp to get some free things that could help alleviate a bit of stress 😉 . It’s just an awesome gifting opp! And You won’t be missed. EVERYONE who signs up will receive either a free toy or a gift card! All You have to do is: ✨ Click the link in my Instagram bio ✨ Sign up with your email ✨ See your gift from @bellesaco 100% discreet shipping & billing ✨ Ships worldwide Tag someone who deserves a self care treat. #selfcare #youdeservethebest #lovewins #freestuff
A lot of “self care” things are just not accessible in this economy. Which is why I decided to do this collab with @bellesaco – because it’s an opp to get some free things that could help alleviate a bit of stress 😉 . It’s just an awesome gifting opp! And You won’t be missed. EVERYONE who signs up will receive either a free toy or a gift card! All You have to do is: ✨ Click the link in my Instagram bio ✨ Sign up with your email ✨ See your gift from @bellesaco 100% discreet shipping & billing ✨ Ships worldwide Tag someone who deserves a self care treat. #selfcare #youdeservethebest #lovewins #freestuff
What’s an activity, sound, food, value, feeling etc that You still love from Your past even though You may not have had an easy time? Is there something You are proud of? A tradition or recipe or song You’ve carried on? A lot of people from economically, socially, or safety deprived backgrounds- we often feel the need to completely mock and discard all parts of our past because people from our past have discarded us. However, often we secretly still find comfort in it. Are we allowed to love parts of our past or cultures that haven’t loved us back? Are we obligated to hate ourselves out of it? For a long time I couldnt listen to country music. I made fun of it. It represented line dancing and pickup truck rides into environments where I knew my true identity wasn’t welcome at the time. However, recently I realized I still feel nostalgia for the good parts of the past with country music in it too. Sipping a cold drink after a day of splitting wood and soaking in the sun on a crisp autumn day. Or perched by the fire, fireflies dancing with the peeper frog grass, while people shared stories of their day. I’ve realized that it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. That we can create new affiliations or definitions. That people and places can shift or change and that we don’t always accomplish that through words- sometimes it’s just through existence. Unwavering simplicity. Mutual appreciation for the human elements of life. If You find Yourself exhausted from “trying so hard to get them to get You” – take a break here. Everyone on this thread loves You. You don’t have to perform for Us or explain Yourself. Your existence is all that is needed. Ps: Not every rural environment is a bigoted one. Not every city is a safe haven. All people have the possibility to shift- but not all people can or will shift all people… because people must want to shift themselves. #asmr #genderfluid #lgbtqia #homestead #offgrid #storytime
Should this be legal? The world of marketing is well aware that gender based division in marketing language can be quite profitable. Especially when it comes to personal products. Often lending to a 22-45% increase in sales versus gender neutral language. That’s why- same exact product or not- companies companies feel incentivized and motivated to continue the division. Capitalism! Plus- it doesn’t help that most of us are trained and tricked into buying from the “aisle assigned to us”. Even if the same product might be a bit more expensive. And even though it causes 20-35% more waste- damaging the environment. Annnd even though the packaging reinforces antiquated gender based visuals. For me, I get bored of seeing this. I think we shouldn’t have gender on marketing at all. And that packaging should talk about the product, how it’s made and how it works. It should be up to the consumer if that product solves their needs and if they like it. We should be educated and educate ourselves on our own individual bodily needs, relationship to chemicals and oils, relationship to textures and colors. I know it may be a moment out for society as whole to think for itself and buy for itself in that way. However, until then- if You see a product labeled by gender check the other gendered aisle. Price compare. Don’t let them get away with this exploitation and division. And if You like them- buy gender neutral products to reward the company for making a great product for everyone. What do You think? Should this be legal? Does anyone have favorite companies that have no gender division? #socialexperiment #lgbtq #lovewins #weirdmemes #didyouknow ps sweatshirt from #lgbtqia bar in Toronto called @sweatybettysbar
The @milanfashionweek team are reading the comments on this post so say what You want! Especially on how You want to see the next year’s events improve. I’ll back You up. About a year ago I interviewed the president of Milan Fashion Week, @carlocapasa live on IG with @munroebergdorf . We didn’t hold back a thing and went for a full grilling of questions. After I remember thinking “Well there goes my Milan fashion career haha”. But instead of icing us out, Carlo doubled down and committed towards making moves to incentivize the brands around fashion week to take more social action. From sustainable pay across the board to model representation to earth conservation. These Sustainable Fashion Awards by CNMI of 14 different awards lured in some of the biggest faces of Italian fashion and made them sit, listen and celebrate expansive progressive practices in the world. I genuinely was impressed by the effort and know it’s just the beginning. In order to keep it going we have to tell them they are on the right track and also help guide them to where we want to be. Which ideally- in my opinion- is that sustainable practices are requirement for anyone to show at fashion weeks around the world. I really believe in what they are trying to achieve. Do You? #MFW #CNMISustainableFashionAwards #SFAwards #LGBTQ #Storytime #adv
How would this go in Your town/city? Lingerie can be worn by anyone and should be accessible to anyone who wants to buy it. Consumership shouldn’t require conformity. Huge thank You to my safety team members on this @charliethegreatoff and @quartermistress they observed from a distance and I was grateful. Things are shifting. I know the news is all negative. So much feels negative. 12 negative news stories for one positive. But I promise You there is more good than gets credit. There are more people listening. There are more people trying. There IS hope happening. It may not feel like much or enough in comparison to everything else- but it is proof that if we fight, if we love, if we keep pushing to be heard and heal- that someone can and will respond by growth. What’s one positive change you’ve witnessed recently? In a place, person, or product? #genderfluid #womensupportingwomen #lingerie #lgbtq Stores visited @agentprovocateur @intimissimiofficial @bouxavenue @laperlalingerie @annsummers
If You haven’t heard it yet, thank You for choosing to be here. Thank You for learning. Growing. Being. I love You. I will thank every person who replies to this possible within a 72 hour time frame. Just to say thank You. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You for continuing to try. To breathe. To exist. What do You do that feels necessary but hard and repetitive? Every day. Every week. Every year. You do it. Because it’s the right thing to do. Or necessary. But it’s not easy? #positivity #goodnews #lgbtq🌈 #hardwork #community #whatdoyouthink #genderless #farmlife #peptalk
Want a way to celebrate drag performers and budding designers? Try this #OOTDChallenge ! You know how online it feels like we need to constantly have new outfits? All the time. Well I don’t know about you, but I’m more of a loyalist. I don’t buy things often and when I do – I buy from brands I love, friends I love, and thrift stores I love. When it was recommended to me to try a digital outfit of the day instead – I was skeptical. But then I found out that my drag family @tiakofi , @bluhydrangea_ and @adamall created these cool looks with emerging designers and that by trying them out – I could celebrate their work! series of digital looks is called #QueensoftheMetaverse by @Meta and I tested it this weekend and it was really fun!. I’m so proud of how creative this was as a solution to marrying fashion exploration with technology. Is this something You would try? If so do an #OOTDChallenge with one of these filters and share it with me! (The filter is tagged in this reel!) I’ll reshare to my stories and comment on as many as I can this week! #genderfluid #solutions
One of only two of my college campus is speaking engagements in the past few years that hasn’t had protesters at it! Dont get me wrong, I actually really love having anti-trans or anti-lgbtq protesters at my events because they can be very rewarding to speak with, it’s nice to break into new communities, and I always learn new things. However, recently it’s become increasingly dangerous with open carry laws and the satisfaction of Twitter approved confrontational videos that people get- which encourages them to act more erratically than ever in the name of clicks or likes. Following me to the parking lot or into the bathroom at the end. It can get nerve wracking sometimes. While I am prepared to handle this kind of volatility- it’s hard for others who attend and are accosted. Who were just looking for a safe space or community. I’ve never hired security guards my entire career, but I find myself prior to mid terms in the USA, feeling a rising tension. People taking blurry photos of me in grocery stores and posting on 4 Chan or to my DMs. People threatening to take action. People who know what I look like. But I don’t know what they look like under their anonymous internet cloak. It’s an interesting time to exist openly. We truly are on the brink of something wonderful or terrifying. All this to say, despite the chaos- I have great hope in what the near future holds. I believe that good will prevail. Peace and freedom will prevail. And I trust with all that I am that it will be ok. So for now, we keep doing these university and college talks, living fully in trust. It will all be ok. Even better- it will all be wonderful. You have something worth teaching too- what would it be? Something You loved, lived or survived? No answer too small! Thanks @tacomacc for creating a completely secure and safe space for me to speak on identity, conflict resolution and LGBTQPIA rights. Your campus was gorgeous, students kind, and staff like Steve @dr.davi_docious , Sabine, and Sonja were welcoming and protective. Can’t wait to return! #lgbtqia #conflictresolution #collegenews #exactly #positivenews
One of only two of my college campus is speaking engagements in the past few years that hasn’t had protesters at it! Dont get me wrong, I actually really love having anti-trans or anti-lgbtq protesters at my events because they can be very rewarding to speak with, it’s nice to break into new communities, and I always learn new things. However, recently it’s become increasingly dangerous with open carry laws and the satisfaction of Twitter approved confrontational videos that people get- which encourages them to act more erratically than ever in the name of clicks or likes. Following me to the parking lot or into the bathroom at the end. It can get nerve wracking sometimes. While I am prepared to handle this kind of volatility- it’s hard for others who attend and are accosted. Who were just looking for a safe space or community. I’ve never hired security guards my entire career, but I find myself prior to mid terms in the USA, feeling a rising tension. People taking blurry photos of me in grocery stores and posting on 4 Chan or to my DMs. People threatening to take action. People who know what I look like. But I don’t know what they look like under their anonymous internet cloak. It’s an interesting time to exist openly. We truly are on the brink of something wonderful or terrifying. All this to say, despite the chaos- I have great hope in what the near future holds. I believe that good will prevail. Peace and freedom will prevail. And I trust with all that I am that it will be ok. So for now, we keep doing these university and college talks, living fully in trust. It will all be ok. Even better- it will all be wonderful. You have something worth teaching too- what would it be? Something You loved, lived or survived? No answer too small! Thanks @tacomacc for creating a completely secure and safe space for me to speak on identity, conflict resolution and LGBTQPIA rights. Your campus was gorgeous, students kind, and staff like Steve @dr.davi_docious , Sabine, and Sonja were welcoming and protective. Can’t wait to return! #lgbtqia #conflictresolution #collegenews #exactly #positivenews
One of only two of my college campus is speaking engagements in the past few years that hasn’t had protesters at it! Dont get me wrong, I actually really love having anti-trans or anti-lgbtq protesters at my events because they can be very rewarding to speak with, it’s nice to break into new communities, and I always learn new things. However, recently it’s become increasingly dangerous with open carry laws and the satisfaction of Twitter approved confrontational videos that people get- which encourages them to act more erratically than ever in the name of clicks or likes. Following me to the parking lot or into the bathroom at the end. It can get nerve wracking sometimes. While I am prepared to handle this kind of volatility- it’s hard for others who attend and are accosted. Who were just looking for a safe space or community. I’ve never hired security guards my entire career, but I find myself prior to mid terms in the USA, feeling a rising tension. People taking blurry photos of me in grocery stores and posting on 4 Chan or to my DMs. People threatening to take action. People who know what I look like. But I don’t know what they look like under their anonymous internet cloak. It’s an interesting time to exist openly. We truly are on the brink of something wonderful or terrifying. All this to say, despite the chaos- I have great hope in what the near future holds. I believe that good will prevail. Peace and freedom will prevail. And I trust with all that I am that it will be ok. So for now, we keep doing these university and college talks, living fully in trust. It will all be ok. Even better- it will all be wonderful. You have something worth teaching too- what would it be? Something You loved, lived or survived? No answer too small! Thanks @tacomacc for creating a completely secure and safe space for me to speak on identity, conflict resolution and LGBTQPIA rights. Your campus was gorgeous, students kind, and staff like Steve @dr.davi_docious , Sabine, and Sonja were welcoming and protective. Can’t wait to return! #lgbtqia #conflictresolution #collegenews #exactly #positivenews
One of only two of my college campus is speaking engagements in the past few years that hasn’t had protesters at it! Dont get me wrong, I actually really love having anti-trans or anti-lgbtq protesters at my events because they can be very rewarding to speak with, it’s nice to break into new communities, and I always learn new things. However, recently it’s become increasingly dangerous with open carry laws and the satisfaction of Twitter approved confrontational videos that people get- which encourages them to act more erratically than ever in the name of clicks or likes. Following me to the parking lot or into the bathroom at the end. It can get nerve wracking sometimes. While I am prepared to handle this kind of volatility- it’s hard for others who attend and are accosted. Who were just looking for a safe space or community. I’ve never hired security guards my entire career, but I find myself prior to mid terms in the USA, feeling a rising tension. People taking blurry photos of me in grocery stores and posting on 4 Chan or to my DMs. People threatening to take action. People who know what I look like. But I don’t know what they look like under their anonymous internet cloak. It’s an interesting time to exist openly. We truly are on the brink of something wonderful or terrifying. All this to say, despite the chaos- I have great hope in what the near future holds. I believe that good will prevail. Peace and freedom will prevail. And I trust with all that I am that it will be ok. So for now, we keep doing these university and college talks, living fully in trust. It will all be ok. Even better- it will all be wonderful. You have something worth teaching too- what would it be? Something You loved, lived or survived? No answer too small! Thanks @tacomacc for creating a completely secure and safe space for me to speak on identity, conflict resolution and LGBTQPIA rights. Your campus was gorgeous, students kind, and staff like Steve @dr.davi_docious , Sabine, and Sonja were welcoming and protective. Can’t wait to return! #lgbtqia #conflictresolution #collegenews #exactly #positivenews
One of only two of my college campus is speaking engagements in the past few years that hasn’t had protesters at it! Dont get me wrong, I actually really love having anti-trans or anti-lgbtq protesters at my events because they can be very rewarding to speak with, it’s nice to break into new communities, and I always learn new things. However, recently it’s become increasingly dangerous with open carry laws and the satisfaction of Twitter approved confrontational videos that people get- which encourages them to act more erratically than ever in the name of clicks or likes. Following me to the parking lot or into the bathroom at the end. It can get nerve wracking sometimes. While I am prepared to handle this kind of volatility- it’s hard for others who attend and are accosted. Who were just looking for a safe space or community. I’ve never hired security guards my entire career, but I find myself prior to mid terms in the USA, feeling a rising tension. People taking blurry photos of me in grocery stores and posting on 4 Chan or to my DMs. People threatening to take action. People who know what I look like. But I don’t know what they look like under their anonymous internet cloak. It’s an interesting time to exist openly. We truly are on the brink of something wonderful or terrifying. All this to say, despite the chaos- I have great hope in what the near future holds. I believe that good will prevail. Peace and freedom will prevail. And I trust with all that I am that it will be ok. So for now, we keep doing these university and college talks, living fully in trust. It will all be ok. Even better- it will all be wonderful. You have something worth teaching too- what would it be? Something You loved, lived or survived? No answer too small! Thanks @tacomacc for creating a completely secure and safe space for me to speak on identity, conflict resolution and LGBTQPIA rights. Your campus was gorgeous, students kind, and staff like Steve @dr.davi_docious , Sabine, and Sonja were welcoming and protective. Can’t wait to return! #lgbtqia #conflictresolution #collegenews #exactly #positivenews
One of only two of my college campus is speaking engagements in the past few years that hasn’t had protesters at it! Dont get me wrong, I actually really love having anti-trans or anti-lgbtq protesters at my events because they can be very rewarding to speak with, it’s nice to break into new communities, and I always learn new things. However, recently it’s become increasingly dangerous with open carry laws and the satisfaction of Twitter approved confrontational videos that people get- which encourages them to act more erratically than ever in the name of clicks or likes. Following me to the parking lot or into the bathroom at the end. It can get nerve wracking sometimes. While I am prepared to handle this kind of volatility- it’s hard for others who attend and are accosted. Who were just looking for a safe space or community. I’ve never hired security guards my entire career, but I find myself prior to mid terms in the USA, feeling a rising tension. People taking blurry photos of me in grocery stores and posting on 4 Chan or to my DMs. People threatening to take action. People who know what I look like. But I don’t know what they look like under their anonymous internet cloak. It’s an interesting time to exist openly. We truly are on the brink of something wonderful or terrifying. All this to say, despite the chaos- I have great hope in what the near future holds. I believe that good will prevail. Peace and freedom will prevail. And I trust with all that I am that it will be ok. So for now, we keep doing these university and college talks, living fully in trust. It will all be ok. Even better- it will all be wonderful. You have something worth teaching too- what would it be? Something You loved, lived or survived? No answer too small! Thanks @tacomacc for creating a completely secure and safe space for me to speak on identity, conflict resolution and LGBTQPIA rights. Your campus was gorgeous, students kind, and staff like Steve @dr.davi_docious , Sabine, and Sonja were welcoming and protective. Can’t wait to return! #lgbtqia #conflictresolution #collegenews #exactly #positivenews
Type Your name and I’ll type it back. Not necessarily the name You were given but the name You feel is right for You. You deserve it to be acknowledged. Recognized. Affirmed. You deserve to own Yourself and the sound/spelling that sums You up. You don’t need to be queer or trans for this exercise to apply to You. This is for anyone and everyone who exists. You deserve for people to take even a moment solely intended for You. You deserve to be respected. You deserve to be. I love You. I love You. I love You. You deserve to be here. Welcome. And if You have the capacity- after typing Your own name, pass on the love by replying to another persons comment and typing THEIR name. It may not seem like much- but to those who have felt exhausted, invisible, or in the shadows- it’s beautiful. And often affirming. (I’ll not post anything else until Monday. As part of a communal and mantra practice on this end I’ll commit to responding to every name until Monday noon. You are not a burden or taking up space by stating Your name. Please don’t be shy. I love You and want You here.) #getlove #lgbtqia #feelgood #foryou Dressed by @nicolabaldacci in @act_n1 – a sustainably created collection. Thanks for @benedettafini for the connect and @carlocapasa from @milanfashionweek for the occasion.
