Dear Trans Kids, You Don't Need the Government's Permission to Exist
January 29, 2025 8:02 AM Subscribe
Teen Vogue once again stepping up as an example of real journalism for the rest of us.
posted by Pedantzilla at 9:29 AM on January 29 [19 favorites]
posted by Pedantzilla at 9:29 AM on January 29 [19 favorites]
Excellent piece.
posted by joannemerriam at 9:59 AM on January 29 [2 favorites]
posted by joannemerriam at 9:59 AM on January 29 [2 favorites]
I had an emotional talk with my parents yesterday. They were confused why their "buck up, kiddo, things won't always be bad!" rhetoric wasn't being received as they had hoped. I did my best to explain the perils that people like me are suddenly up against, the position and velocity of the various walls that are closing in, and how all that affects how I live in the world.
After hearing me out, they asked "what are we supposed to do? we're in our 70s and never go anywhere!" I asked them to just talk to people, whoever they see - the relatives they visit, their church patrons, whoever. Talk to them and tell them what I just told you.
Ally is a verb.
posted by neuracnu at 11:22 AM on January 29 [41 favorites]
After hearing me out, they asked "what are we supposed to do? we're in our 70s and never go anywhere!" I asked them to just talk to people, whoever they see - the relatives they visit, their church patrons, whoever. Talk to them and tell them what I just told you.
Ally is a verb.
posted by neuracnu at 11:22 AM on January 29 [41 favorites]
they're at the forefront of real journalism- so impressive.
posted by j_curiouser at 11:28 AM on January 29 [3 favorites]
posted by j_curiouser at 11:28 AM on January 29 [3 favorites]
Mod note: One comment against the guidelines removed. Speak for yourself, not others:
Let's not call pronouns "linguistic games" particularly not in a thread about Trans Kids. As the guidelines say, avoid speaking on behalf of other people and discussing their experience like an academic topic; invite them to speak for themselves instead!
posted by loup (staff) at 12:50 PM on January 29 [25 favorites]
Let's not call pronouns "linguistic games" particularly not in a thread about Trans Kids. As the guidelines say, avoid speaking on behalf of other people and discussing their experience like an academic topic; invite them to speak for themselves instead!
posted by loup (staff) at 12:50 PM on January 29 [25 favorites]
If pronouns are a linguistic game, then I'm playing for all the marbles.
posted by Faint of Butt at 1:50 PM on January 29 [9 favorites]
posted by Faint of Butt at 1:50 PM on January 29 [9 favorites]
neuracnu: I was pleasantly surprised by how my relatives in their 80s sat down and read these booklets from PFLAG when I gave them to them: Supporting your LGBTQ+ Grandchild and Guide to being a straight ally. They even talked about them positively with their neighbors in their retirement community. The grandchild one applies to relationships other than grandparents; it has an intro by Dear Abby, to give you an idea of the vibe. They predate the current administration, so they'd be more useful for general encouragement and won't help with the current situations.
(Apologies if I am stating the obvious.)
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:12 PM on January 29 [8 favorites]
(Apologies if I am stating the obvious.)
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:12 PM on January 29 [8 favorites]
The article is excellent, but what jumped out for me is: "Then I started to think about the changes I’d need to make for the sake of safety. After nearly 20 years of being some kind of openly queer, would I have to run back to the closet? What kind of new targets would be placed on my back as an activist and writer? Would I lose access to the hormones I’ve been on for nearly 15 years?"
My adult son has been on T for a year and a half now. The positive impact on his mental health has been tremendous. I am terrified about the potential impact of him losing access, and we live in a blue state.
posted by Scout405 at 8:02 PM on January 29 [16 favorites]
My adult son has been on T for a year and a half now. The positive impact on his mental health has been tremendous. I am terrified about the potential impact of him losing access, and we live in a blue state.
posted by Scout405 at 8:02 PM on January 29 [16 favorites]
From the article:
” Here’s some practical advice:
- Remind yourself constantly that no one gave you your identity, truth, or power, and no one can take them away without your permission.
- Learn about your history and devour it. It gives you a sense of meaning, and roots you in this earth.”
These two points contradict each other.
posted by hankmajor at 8:29 AM on January 31
” Here’s some practical advice:
- Remind yourself constantly that no one gave you your identity, truth, or power, and no one can take them away without your permission.
- Learn about your history and devour it. It gives you a sense of meaning, and roots you in this earth.”
These two points contradict each other.
posted by hankmajor at 8:29 AM on January 31
I don't think they're contradictory. Learning your own history can help undermine the identity that the government or state try to impose on us. A person can choose to learn their own history and use it to help form their identity outside the incomplete or sanitized histories we're taught in school. Emphasis on the learning being something a person chooses for themselves -- making it a process of self identity and truth building.
posted by Mister Cheese at 11:38 AM on January 31 [2 favorites]
posted by Mister Cheese at 11:38 AM on January 31 [2 favorites]
I tried really hard to understand how the points contradicted, and I failed.
posted by lauranesson at 12:56 PM on January 31
posted by lauranesson at 12:56 PM on January 31
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posted by olopua at 8:24 AM on January 29 [31 favorites]