Malicious Manifold Miscellany
Good morning all (or whatever it is when you read this.) If you're in this channel, you probably already know about the Trans Day of Remembrance, but as this is the 25th one, I feel like a brief reminder of why it started is warranted. On November 20th, 1995…
Hello all. It's that time of year again. The holidays are approaching, but this is a somber time of year for the trans community. Every year on November 20th, we observe the Transgender Day of Remembrance, when we recall those community members we lost over the previous year. TDoR focuses on those who were the victims of violence, calling back to the first TDoR back in 1999. If you'd like to read more about the history of the day, I replied to my post from last year and there are a number of good articles online that delve into it even further.
This year however, I'd like to focus on the present. It's been a hard year for us (and the queer community as a whole), with the usual assaults on our medical care, our places in history erased (with the attempt to remove all mentions of us from Stonewall National Monument being perhaps the most egregious), and our very identities weaponized against us with official attempts to link us with mental illness and violent tendencies (as if both trans folks and those with actual mental illness aren't more likely to be the victims of violence than the perpetrators anyway, but that's another discussion entirely). This has had a noticeable affect, with attacks against us so far this year compromising over half of all incidents targeted at the LGBT community despite our small numbers, many more trans people resuming their birth identities for their own safety than in previous years, and some fair-weather allies deciding that we are no longer worthy of their defense.
So this year, while I am of course asking you as usual to attend a TDoR vigil close to you if you have the time and ability, and to remember those of our community that will not see 2026, I'm also asking for you to channel your negative feelings into positive action. You may feel sadness at our loss and anger at current events, but try to use those feelings as motivators instead of getting lost in despair and frustration. Pull yourself out of bed and take better care of yourself on a day you feel defeated. Help out a struggling friend. Attend a protest. Vote. Volunteer. Defend the vulnerable if you can. Do something you wouldn't ordinarily do, or take something you would ordinarily do to a higher level.
We can make a future where TDoR lists are smaller or even empty, but not alone. And to my trans siblings especially: stay strong, stay alive, and stay authentically you. 🏳⚧
This year however, I'd like to focus on the present. It's been a hard year for us (and the queer community as a whole), with the usual assaults on our medical care, our places in history erased (with the attempt to remove all mentions of us from Stonewall National Monument being perhaps the most egregious), and our very identities weaponized against us with official attempts to link us with mental illness and violent tendencies (as if both trans folks and those with actual mental illness aren't more likely to be the victims of violence than the perpetrators anyway, but that's another discussion entirely). This has had a noticeable affect, with attacks against us so far this year compromising over half of all incidents targeted at the LGBT community despite our small numbers, many more trans people resuming their birth identities for their own safety than in previous years, and some fair-weather allies deciding that we are no longer worthy of their defense.
So this year, while I am of course asking you as usual to attend a TDoR vigil close to you if you have the time and ability, and to remember those of our community that will not see 2026, I'm also asking for you to channel your negative feelings into positive action. You may feel sadness at our loss and anger at current events, but try to use those feelings as motivators instead of getting lost in despair and frustration. Pull yourself out of bed and take better care of yourself on a day you feel defeated. Help out a struggling friend. Attend a protest. Vote. Volunteer. Defend the vulnerable if you can. Do something you wouldn't ordinarily do, or take something you would ordinarily do to a higher level.
We can make a future where TDoR lists are smaller or even empty, but not alone. And to my trans siblings especially: stay strong, stay alive, and stay authentically you. 🏳⚧
❤🔥15
Also that's right fuckers, I'm still around. Haven't felt much like posting in awhile, but I'm not going away anytime soon, and I hope you don't either. Love to most, death to fascists, and good trouble for everyone!
❤16