I used to think people called me irresponsible, dirty, immoral, or speculated about me having diseases because I wrote about having multiple partners.
Then I changed my name from Holly to Cliff.
I used to think people called me fat because I’m overweight.
Then I changed my name from Holly to Cliff.
I used to think people talked about whether they’d have sex with me (and somehow managed to make “yes” and “no” equally disdainful) because I wrote about sex.
Then I changed my name from Holly to Cliff.
I used to think a certain level of trolling and insulting was just the base state of the Internet, just something you had to thicken your skin to because Internet’s gonna Internet.
Then I changed my name from Holly to Cliff.
—
My initial conclusion is, of course, “damn, everyone should change their name to Cliff,” but as that seems to not be right for everyone, let’s try:
“Damn, never think that abuse is inevitable or something you deserve”
and
“Damn, never think your judgement of a person is unaffected by your knowledge about their identity.”
and
“Damn, you can live in the same spaces with people for a while and still have no idea what a different view of the world and of human interaction they’re getting.”
Oh my god. This.

























