EMBRACE THE HORROR WITHIN

So today I’ve seen posts on multiple platforms from those living in Latin America saying the news and social media is suddenly discussing therians a lot, in a very negative way.

Something I need y’all to know, based on my experience living as trans for 10 years and being a furry for several as well: DO NOT TALK TO THE MEDIA. You can speak to TRUSTED, preferably independent journalists. Previously center and liberal news media like CNN and the New York Times have taken a steep rightwing shift. Do not go on podcasts, do not talk to tv reporters, etc. It will put you in harms way. You will be taken out of context. They will attack you with premeditated questions to make you look bad, knowing you are not prepared to debate/justify your existence. I repeat,

I am a disabled transgender woman of color, otherkin, pagan clergy member, and civil rights organizer. I have been active in these communities (often in some kind of organizing capacity) since 2005-2010.

I have done numerous TV, radio/podcast, and newspaper interviews. All of them went well because I communicated with more experienced organizers with experience interacting with the media, and because I carefully vetted everyone I spoke to.

A legitimate journalist with good intentions will do research, find community leaders and organizers, and reach out to them directly to request an interview. Which is what happened for every interview I have ever done.

If someone puts out a general call for volunteers, it is almost always because they have bad intentions and they want someone who does not have expertise or experience with the media, whom they can easily make a fool of. No matter who you are or how charismatic or good at speaking you are, it is absolutely impossible to do an interview which cannot be edited to make you look like an idiot. The only way to look good in an interview is if the interviewer wants you to look good. No exceptions.

I have seen it happen numerous times both in the alterhuman community and elsewhere. Not only do people who agree to such interviews always get made a fool of by the media. They also usually get labeled by the community as clout chasing embarrassments who don't have the community's best interests in mind. I won't name names, but those who've been around for a while will be able to think of examples.

The only time it's not a completely terrible idea to agree to an interview is if:

A) The interviewer contacted you specifically because you are a leader/organizer/academic who represents the community.

B) You've done research on the interviewer to find out who they are and what kind of work they've done in the past.

C) This interviewer is a serious journalist who has never done sensationalist media or published an interview with someone who looked silly or incompetent (because if they interviewed someone who looked bad, it is always on purpose. They can make anyone look bad and they can make anyone look good).

D) The interviewer does not work for a media outlet that ever does sensationalist media, or which has any connections to conservative interests (which eliminates all mainstream media outlets).

E) You have spoken to other community leadership who also think you should do the interview.

For what's been happening in Latin America, there have also been multiple news outlets publishing AI-generated videos of "therian attacks"-- there is absolutely no reason to assume that these outlets and others would hesitate to use editing or AI to make you look like a fool at best, or a danger at worst. Do NOT interact with the media unless you are absolutely positive, without a shadow of a doubt, that 1) the journalist you're speaking to is trustworthy, 2) doing so isn't going to put you in danger, and 3) others second that it's a good idea for you to do so.

Public speaking is a skill; do not overestimate your own capabilities! Do not underestimate how negatively a huge public speaking appearance can affect you and your family! I would recommend that 99.99% of all alterhumans avoid ever talking to the media, myself included. It is so easy to fuck up so badly, and the consequences are far-reaching and permanent. Don't do it. Don't let your friends do it. Don't let your family do it.

Pt: No Kings Userboxes /End Pt

Userboxes have a medium to dark red gradient, with black text. Text after the userboxes.

No Kings

This User Wont Give Into Defeatism

Crowns For Narcissists Not Kings

This User Says Crowns For Narcissists Not Kings

Reminder I am NPD safe and when I say Narcissist I mean someone with NPD. Narc Abuse believers and shit aren't welcome here. Fascists apologists also aren't welcome here.

But for now, a lot of people suck. A lot of people will hear "no empathy" and assume that means you actively throw a chainsaw at anyone who exists within 3 feet of you. People will hear "persodivergent" and fear you because of their own biases. People will hear "narcissist" and then decide you've opened a spot to be their personal therapist for the "narcissistic abuse" they suffered. And you know what? That doesn't change your truth. None of it changes you as a person. And you are a person, as any other, and deserving of love and support.

be annoyed when "delusional" is said as an insult. be annoyed when the words "narcissist" & "abuser" are used interchangeably. be annoyed when "psychotic" is used to mean "dangerous."

if someone in the alterhuman community tries to convince you that specific trans people are the enemy because their gender makes them (insert-adjective-here), they are a cop

if someone in the alterhuman community tries to tell you that there is a hierarchy of trans-ness or that you must be this trans to count, they are a cop

if someone in the alterhuman community tries to tell you that trans solidarity doesn't exist and that you are uniquely alone in your struggles, they are a cop

Both groups deserve human rights. That's how human rights work.