#trans-unit3_thoughts

Our trans activism & mutual aid unit opened my eyes to how much the trans community lifts & supports itself. It is a reflection of the strength and grace these beautiful souls possess. Our society could learn an extraordinary amount from the trans community if it would simply lay down its biases. I found it very disheartening how much our society and our government fails trans people every single day. I hope one day very soon trans people will be seen as fellow humans who have the same rights that every cisgender human enjoys freely.

I loved learning about the different trans organizations that exist to help transgender humans, many of which are started and run by trans people. My favorite was the Trans Stitchin’ in Omaha that provides a “closet” of clothing items to the transgender community. I was disappointed in the lack of transgender support organizations in our area when I went in search of one I could help support. One day soon, I hope to rectify that.

I think my biggest takeaway from Unit 3 is how resilient the trans community is when it comes to finding the strength to not only lift each other up when they’re down, but to take care of each other when it seems like the entire world has turned their backs on them. Although the government’s indifference towards trans people is nothing short of infuriating, I still find a lot of solace in the trans mutual aid organizations that we examined in class because they’re very heart-warming and effective. Maybe I’m being overly optimistic here, but I truly hope that these efforts will motivate our society to move in the right direction as it relates to accepting trans people as human beings and not “others.”

Looking at this course overall, all I can say is thank you. I found so much support in all of you individually. And through learning, I found out these about myself personally that have allowed me to grow so much. I really hope to continue to see these courses in the future. Not just for myself, but for others. It is SO beneficial to have an open space to talk about issues that are important to you with like-minded people :)

I forgot what 

strong voices sounded like as

they crept underneath my pillow 

case and never

were given to the fae

My pillow grew cold and stone

and silent

and

I fell scared against the floor

where

there

they come

thank you pretty things

with strong voices

you brought them back from underneath

and you sprung the new 

onto me without fear

thank you for the tears we shed

that allowed hands to 

I have learned many things, have grown, and even have seen how I not only have privileges that I have grown with as identifying as a Cisgender woman, but how to use it to not only be a better ally, but how to recognize it and grow from it. I also loved learning about the history behind Trans Rights, Trans Figures in history, and how to see that Trans Folx have always been there, that they have been a special part of our society that have been almost erased. I am glad there are people who are still fighting, and I hope to put my own voice out there to be an advocate and to not let my own ignorance, that is still there, blind me, but instead allow myself to realize terminology and everything is changing and welcome that change and continue to stand up for Trans Rights, and Fight with my LGBTQIA community for the rights, and freedoms we, and especially the Trans Folx, deserve so much. I loved meeting all of you and I hope at some point we can meet, and continue to talk to one another!!! Have a safe break!!!

My biggest takeaway from the Trans Activism unit is a couple things, from how trans poc are treated in the prison systems and how homeless trans people are treated when they seek shelter. I feel as human beings we can do so much better than this. We can raise awareness about what is actually like to be trans and in the prison system and how broken and messed up that system is. Or how discriminatory homeless shelters can be for trans people. Just because people fall on hard times or may make mistakes that can lead to incarceration, doesn't mean that they are any less human. I think a lot of people forget or don't realize that it could happen to any of us. The unacceptable part is the broken system and the treatment. Trans lives matter, Black trans lives matter, we are all human beings and we should all look towards progress and becoming equal.

As for my picture above, these are a few things that stuck with me as well as a drawing I created of a black trans woman named Mia Green. Mia was unfortunately shot and killed in Philadelphia, PA, of a hate crime. Mia was only 29 years old. May she rest in peace.

*More than 10,000 hate crimes in the U.S. involve a firearm each year, which equates to more than 28 each day, according to a report from HRC, Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, Giffords Law Center and Equality Florida titled “Remembering and Honoring Pulse: Anti-LGBTQ Bias and Guns Are Taking Lives of Countless LGBTQ People.” 

*information found in article on site: https://www.hrc.org/news/hrc-mourns-mia-green-black-trans-woman-killed-in-philadelphia