Boston University's Q

Model Hanne Gaby Odiele reveals she is intersex

Belgian model Hanne Gaby Odiele, who’s walked in runway shows for Alexander Wang, Versace and Moschino and even appeared on the cover of Marie Claire Italy, has revealed that she is intersex.

“It is very important to me in my life right now to break the taboo,” Odiele told USA Today. “At this point, in this day and age, it should be perfectly alright to talk about this.”

What that means is that Odiele was born with sex characteristics (such as genitals or chromosomes) that don’t fit the standard definitions of male or female. 

Yes:

Getting winded after walking quickly/upstairs with binder on, but able to catch breath

Chafing in the underarm areas

Soreness (during or after) in arms, shoulders, or back

Increased acne on chest or back

Mild anxiety about tightness

Chest sagging

No, take it off and rest, see a doctor if problem gets worse or doesn’t go away after taking the binder off (or after one week):

Nausea during or after binding, including nausea caused by pain

Bruising

Out of breath/can’t catch breath when not wearing binder

Skin rash

Sharp pains in ribs

Not able to cough or sneeze

Numbness in arms

Feeling too tired/sore to do everyday activities

Suddenly having any of the above symptoms even if you’ve been binding for years 

No, see a doctor ASAP, could be a sign of serious injury:

Anything from the above category if you can just tell/feel something is wrong, better safe than sorry

Extreme claustrophobia/panic attacks 

Sharp pain in chest/heart skipping beats or beating very fast

Not able to breathe  

Dizziness

Blueness in lips or fingertips

Change in shape of ribcage

But sometimes it’s not simple. Sometimes you don’t have the option to express yourself as you wish. Sometimes you have to live undercover.

In those times, remember that what you put on in the morning and take off at night does not define you.

The person you wear is not the one that you are.

Beginners (2010) - Directed by Mike Mills

AFTERELLEN.COM IS SHUTTING DOWN ON FRIDAY 

The company that bought it 2 years ago decided that apparently queer spaces don’t make as much money as moms and fashion. 

I am so upset, so angry, so shocked, so devastated by society’s willingness to erase us. This site helped so many of us feel like we weren’t alone. The reason I am even in this country, the reason I work in the media, the reason I have this Orphan Black dedicated blog is in many ways thanks to them and the strength they gave the LGBTQ youth back when there was nothing else. 

 We deserved better. We deserve better. 

We nominate Jeffrey Tambor for speech of the night. Give transgender people their story. 🙌

Gifs: Emmys on ABC