#degenderettes

Saw some TERFs spreading these images of @degenderettes and actually everything here is awesome and needs more love.

Hi everybody, I’m a lesbian.

A lesbian who didn’t take Trans issues really seriously. 

The type of lesbian who would get kinda miffed at critiques of Kate Mckinnon’s trans-ignorant and phobic skits of the past, things she’s said, etc.

A lesbian who has a major crush on Wayhaught and watches loads of Supercorp videos in her free time.

A lesbian who’s added a lot of issues to my activism list: environmental action, money in politics, BLM, and yet not trans issues? like wtf?

Anyway what I want to say, is that I’ve been able to see how foolish and hurtful that lack of getting up in arms about trans rights, concerns, and hopes has been in my life and I want to attribute this change in me (and I hope, others) to a few things relating to representation because my god, it matters so. much. 

Things in the recent past that have made me reconsider my lack of gravitas towards trans issues #1, That Sense 8 Scene with Nomi and Amanita: 

This. Scene. It is just. SO. BEAUTIFUL!  I’m not going to explain it in depth, just go see it if you haven’t yet. God, positive representation matters so much. 

Item # 2 that totally shifted my mindset: The Degenderettes at San Francisco Pride. See clip below:

A post shared by Erika Lygren (@erikalygren) on Jun 26, 2017 at 10:34am PDT

I watched this over and over 10 times. Something about their visibility and marching just broke me. I teared at the “Trans Dykes are Good and Pure” sign, realizing the truth of that statement. These are kind, gentle people with feelings that get hurt just like other people, and all. the. time. thanks to the stupid transphobic and ignorant bullshit in the gay community and so much further discrimination from the straight community. We have so much to learn, and I should have gotten here earlier, but I’m glad I’m here now. 

What I want to say to all the trans dykes out there, from one lesbian to another, (you may already know this, but just incase you didn’t) is that just by existing, by being visible, fighting for people to see who you are, advocating for better representation, writing blog posts, or just plain living your daily life, I know for a fact that you are changing the world.  you’ve changed me. I know you’re changing others. Thank you. Thank YOU!

That. and sorry. I’m sorry we've not made you feel welcome in our community, in our spaces. I don’t expect this to change just with my one blog post, but I see a future in which you will not feel alienated and invisible in the very spaces you should be a part of! One! Day!

For the cis lesbian folks reading this, I just want to say: Trans issues are just as important as all the other issues people are fighting for in the world.  Their concerns and critiques are valid and REAL.  They are not trying to ruin our lesbian culture or the stereotypes we like to joke so often about, or anything like that. What they've been telling us for so long is that some things that we do and say, it hurts them. It really honestly hurts them. And we should listen. Because we sure as hell know what it’s like to not be understood. ;)

Love,