pronounnotfound:

transpride:

1. Ask permission to ask questions. Even if you think you know they are comfortable answering, they may actually not be or maybe not in that setting, and it is just rude and pretty off-putting to not ask. Say, “Hey do you mind if I ask you some things about your transition? I’ve been a little curious – feel free to not answer or say no.”

2. Avoid private and personal questions. Even a so-called open book like me doesn’t want to discuss my sex life with most anyone. If you really want to know about trans men and sex, ask in general terms – i.e. “Are many trans men ‘stone butch’ in bed?” vs. “Are you stone butch in bed?” BIG difference.

3. Do not ask questions that in any way challenge the trans person’s gender identity or expression or could obviously lead to dysphoria. Do NOT, for example, ask if a trans man will grow to be ‘average male height’ or if a trans woman is uncomfortable with the size of her hands. I’ve gotten, “Are you ever going to look your age?” Ouch, honey.

4. Phrase your questions in a way that affirms a trans person’s gender. And avoid anything that defines the trans person in terms of who they once “were.” This is pretty simple, actually. Instead of asking if someone is “still legally female,” ask what the steps are to becoming legally male and if they have completed them.

5. Avoid comparisons to non-trans people and never use the term “real” in distinguishing between transgender and non-transgender people. “Cisgender” or “non-trans” are the only appropriate ways to signify non-trans status.

6. If it is a general question, try Google first. There is a lot of information on the internet and an open trans person should not be a stand-in for your own research.

7. Do not ask what the person’s birth name was. There is absolutely no reason for you to need to know this and it is likely something this person wants distance from. It is a particularly offensive question when phrased, “What is your REAL name.” After all, Sebastian is my real name and has been since I started asking people to use it.

8. Request specific permission to ask questions relating to genitalia, even if you’ve already received general permission to ask other personal questions. “Are you comfortable discussing your genitalia?” Chances are they aren’t. After all, do you want to talk about yours? But some people are and I acknowledge that there is definitely education needed on the topic so I am not opposed entirely to asking questions, as long as you get extra permission first.

9. Be wary of your phrasing. If you aren’t sure how to talk about trans issues, you need to announce that in the beginning. Be open to correction and don’t get defensive if a trans person is offended by something you say. As a heads up, don’t refer to a trans person as their previously-assigned gender – don’t say “when you were a girl” to a trans man for example. A more accurate and safer route is “before you transitioned” or “when you were living as a girl.”

10. Be aware of your setting. These are private conversations. Don’t approach someone at a crowded party or in algebra class and expect them to have a trans chat with you.

11. Be sensitive to the person’s comfort level throughout the conversation. If they’ve given you permission but are obviously growing uncomfortable discussing things, don’t press. Be grateful for the information you’ve gained and change the subject.

12. Respect the person’s privacy. Unless this person stated otherwise, the personal information they gave you is not for you to share with the world.

(Source: transpride)

It is the height of privilege to think that everyone must listen to what you say. Not so. I don’t have to listen to racists. I don’t. I don’t have to listen to homo-haters. I don’t have to listen to trans-haters. I don’t have to listen to their hateful speech, their bigoted comments, or their dumb as fuck opinions (about anything). Y’all can say whatever you want. But I don’t have to fucking listen. At all. Or ever. And I’ll be damned if anyone can compel me to do otherwise.

If you knew what real silencing was, you’d have a real different opinion about free speech. If you knew that people listen to your hateful words far more than they listen to anything I say, you’d get the hell out of my face about your right to free speech.

safespacenetwork:

Links

This List will be updated as we find, receive or create new resources. If for any reason you would like to voice a complaint, or a concern over the behaviour displayed by these blogs, I direct you to our ask box:

(Now in Alphabetical Order)

Agender

• …

whoneedsfeminism:

somedays i like to wear dresses and skirts,

other days i like to wear “boy” t-shirts and jeans

I should not be seen as less than anyone because of either of these things

intellectual-stupidity:

The MLK that’s never quoted.

MLK is dumbed down so much. -_-

You don’t learn shit about what he was really about in schools. And that fucking sucks.

(Source: samljackson)

projectunbreakable:

Photographed in Seattle, WA on April 19th.

—

Not sure what Project Unbreakable is? Click here.

Want to be a part of Project Unbreakable? Email us at projectunbreakable@gmail.com

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Find us on Facebook & Twitter

View submissions here

(Source: projectunbreakable)

brazenbitch:

whatgiselawore:

brofisting:

SO BASICALLY… for quite a while now I have been working on something in secret, and now it’s done, and THIS IS IT!!

THE FAT FEMME’S GUIDE TO LOVING SUMMER is an 18-page, full-color fashion/lifestyle mini-magazine!! Aside from including fashion tips, summer activities, DIY how-tos, and INTERVIEWS with the lovely Gisela Ramirez and Jaimielee, it is basically CHOCK FULL of illustration!!

You can actually read the ENTIRE THING online HERE, but hey— why only go half-way? You can PURCHASE IT and get it sent to you in the mail with my love for only $6 HERE!! Hell, the first five people to buy one get a free FAT/FABULOUS sticker!

So, uh, get to it! This project was my baby and I seriously hope you all enjoy!!

Wow!!!! This is amazing!

I didn’t realise you’d already finished it!!

Please support this amazing artist, she’s so talented and just an amazing person all round!

BUY this now!!! I JUST DID!

i have this zine and i LOVE it

because I don’t think anyone in my life is comfortable with me sharing this with them.

I FINALLY managed to get my Diva Cup inserted. Is it inserted properly? Not sure. Do I care at this moment? Not particularly. Am I incredibly proud of myself? Hell yeah.

I will openly admit that I watch Glee. I’m a sucker for a musical. But after tonight I don’t think I can go on watching.

For awhile now I’ve known that Glee is problematic. The unequal footing of homosexual relationships on the show, Beiste’s domestic abuse storyline, and most noticeably the way that Finn gets away with treating people like crap over and over again while being hailed as a hero.

And I could take that in stride, look at it critically and examine the show and still enjoy it (well, not Finn). And then came Wade/Unique and characters repeatedly using “he/she” in reference to Wade/Unique. Had this been part of a discussion of gender expression and identity, leading up to a resolution wherein it was said that this is unacceptable it would’ve been a little easier to swallow. But the term “he/she” was repeatedly thrown around carelessly, and frequently as a joke. And that is not ok.

jerfrey:

FDA panel recommends approving home HIV test

Consumers may soon be able to test themselves for HIV and quickly learn the results in the privacy of their own homes following a unanimous approval recommendation from a Food and Drug Administration advisory committee on Tuesday.

The panel said the OraQuick In-Home HIV Test should be made available over-the-counter (OTC) saying the test is safe and effective and that the benefits far outweigh the potential risks.

If approved by the FDA, the test will be the first OTC test to be marketed for HIV or any infectious disease.  FDA advisory committee recommendations are not binding, but they are generally followed.

An estimated 1.2 million Americans are living with HIV, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.  One in five of those are unaware of their HIV status.  And about 50,000 new cases of HIV are reported each year.