we've always been here

[stickygirl]

And if I may give some personal genuine trying to help you advice, dont watch the news. Dont read the news. Misinformation is everywhere my dear. And knowing whats coming wont put you any more in control. In times like these the most revolutionary thing we can do, is live well and happy.

As soon as the orange clown won, I started teaching You Tube and Google News that 'No, don't recommend that' and my life is now much less stressful. We can't change what the elephants are doing but we can avoid being trampled.
As for false communities, I used to follow a few pages on Reddit but it has become so angry now. Every one is eaten up with anger and I find it upsetting. That's a shame because ten years ago I enjoyed the communities there.

The simple old tricks to make life better never fail: nature, small groups, doing little creative things.

 

[Zrosey]

Nothing can flatten our differences, but we can choose to look past the clique, reptile brain and see our similiarities instead.

I feel like I may be on shaky ground, like am I reading your meaning here correctly? So forgive me if it appears I'm not....
I'm so hopeful folks in the queer community, trans, gay, lesbian, an enby can celebrate our differences! We are beautiful people! No matter the difference I def think all should be embraced and supported.

 

[Zrosey]

And Im not advocating to band together and burn shit down. Propaganda of the deed shows that never ever accomplishes anything good.

Here again I hope I am reading your meaning in the sentence correctly. But I think there are many, notably Sylvia Rivera, the NYC queer activist from the 1970's through early 2000's might have disagreed. I believe it was her that has said direct action at the Stonewall action is what brought results. I do know many activists of that time thought it was ineffective to quietly lobby and carry posters. They felt no one listened until things became essentially violent.

 

[Zrosey]

The simple old tricks to make life better never fail: nature, small groups, doing little creative things.

I am a total believer in this, I know how true those actions can be in my own personal life. I gotta have my outside time, it allows me to feel sane in this increasingly crazy world we live in. Same with creative outlets, doing art, good or not is absolutely regenerative for my spirit. I'm thankful to have these outlets!

Out of all this insanity coming from the chief rapist, one of his new policies that truly scares me is he has directed prisons in the USA to start moving transgender women prisoners into male prisons, and into cells with violent offenders....
To me this is nothing short of torture! He knows very well that many of these transwomen will end up being abused and likely raped. Again I think this illustrates with his administration, cruelty is the point.....

 

[Sol41]

Here again I hope I am reading your meaning in the sentence correctly. But I think there are many, notably Sylvia Rivera, the NYC queer activist from the 1970's through early 2000's might have disagreed. I believe it was her that has said direct action at the Stonewall action is what brought results. I do know many activists of that time thought it was ineffective to quietly lobby and carry posters. They felt no one listened until things became essentially violent.

That may be true, but the world isnt how it was when Stonewall occured.
We live in a panoticon surveillance state. Any one can film anything then edit and present it to have any narrative they wish. Privacy is long dead. Its easier than ever to find people w drones, phone tracking and facial recognition. Theres no such thing as anonymity anymore. Someone can snap your photo and give it to a bunch of gross terminally online degenerates like kiwifarms and ruin your whole life.

None of this was around during Stonewall and to ignore these material differences would be high folly.
My goal here isnt to demoralize or depress anyone, but we need to stay logical and real about this.

 

[Sol41]

Thank you for all of this! I am prone to 'jump into something feet first' and not think it through.
Our discussion here isn't at all demoralizing for me so no worries there! I enjoy having another interested person to talk things out with.

Great to hear, and thank you.
I tend to be impulsive too, Ive just jumped into enough holes to amass a modicum of wisdom.

 

[Zrosey]

https://archive.is/8XzUy

1973 in San Fran....

 

[Zrosey]

I wasn't sure where to post or add this, but I think it merits attention.
As the article points out, erasing trans and diverse folks from the public view is an attempt to make us invisible. Remember tho, we will always be here and I know I'm planning on continuing to raise my voice the best I can.

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/19/nx-s...ersity-erased?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

 

[coati]

I wasn't sure where to post or add this, but I think it merits attention.
As the article points out, erasing trans and diverse folks from the public view is an attempt to make us invisible. Remember tho, we will always be here and I know I'm planning on continuing to raise my voice the best I can.

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/19/nx-s...ersity-erased?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

In this era dominated by right-wing control freaks, being yourself is a revolutionary act.

 

[Zrosey]

In this era dominated by right-wing control freaks, being yourself is a revolutionary act.

It is so very ironic. This cult that styles themselves as a 'freedom party' wants nothing as much as being able to dictate how we all look, speak, what we read, and who we love.
As many have already said "make it make sense"

 

[Zrosey]

In this era dominated by right-wing control freaks, being yourself is a revolutionary act.

Every day seems to be a further erosion of culture, society, and the ability to express ourselves. How soon until we are arrested for being diverse?

 

[coati]

Every day seems to be a further erosion of culture, society, and the ability to express ourselves. How soon until we are arrested for being diverse?

I was at the Tucson Book Festival last weekend. Almost everyone I saw was thumbing their nose at repressive political policies.

It was a joyful show of solidarity against the control freaks-- a true celebration of freedom.

 

[Zrosey]

I was at the Tucson Book Festival last weekend. Almost everyone I saw was thumbing their nose at repressive political policies.

It was a joyful show of solidarity against the control freaks-- a true celebration of freedom.

This makes me HAPPY! Thanks, I needed to hear of positive acts happening

 

[coati]

This makes me HAPPY! Thanks, I needed to hear of positive acts happening

I live out in the boondocks, so it takes some planning and some time to get to the bigger events that celebrate freedom of expression

 

[Zrosey]

I was at the Tucson Book Festival last weekend. Almost everyone I saw was thumbing their nose at repressive political policies.

It was a joyful show of solidarity against the control freaks-- a true celebration of freedom.

And just the fact it was a 'book festival'. I love books and reading so imagining being surrounded by books and others that are making the day a festive event lightens my spirit

 

[coati]

And just the fact it was a 'book festival'. I love books and reading so imagining being surrounded by books and others that are making the day a festive event lightens my spirit

The irreverent New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd was one of the featured authors at the Tucson Festival of Books. Her interview was like a humorous rally for freedom of expression.

And, there were so many booths set up providing thousands of kids with the opportunity to read about all sorts of topics. [The Harry Potter craze has faded into distance now that people have learned more about that author.]

It was a huge gathering and a major public statement against censorship.

 

[Zrosey]

Well, one is to stop pushing others away. Truly understand were in tis together. Stop the fighting w gay people, stop fighting with each other.
Wether you pass better than me or not, weve got to get out of our reactionary feelings and see big picture wise.
And Im not advocating to band together and burn shit down. Propaganda of the deed shows that never ever accomplishes anything good.
But instead doing what we have to to keep our heads down and help eachother weather this storm.

And if I may give some personal genuine trying to help you advice, dont watch the news. Dont read the news. Misinformation is everywhere my dear. And knowing whats coming wont put you any more in control. In times like these the most revolutionary thing we can do, is live well and happy.

But thats just one elder millenials take.

I think these are words to keep close:
"That’s why I believe it’s time to reaffirm and commit to the Morgan Page Rule: Try to avoid criticizing other trans people in public. The world does it enough already."

I found this here, https://aridrennen.substack.com/p/guns-pointed-outward-why-im-adopting
Ari Drennen is a person I just started following on substack. I don't yet know much of them, but am liking their writing.

 

[Sol41]

I think these are words to keep close:
"That’s why I believe it’s time to reaffirm and commit to the Morgan Page Rule: Try to avoid criticizing other trans people in public. The world does it enough already."

I found this here, https://aridrennen.substack.com/p/guns-pointed-outward-why-im-adopting
Ari Drennen is a person I just started following on substack. I don't yet know much of them, but am liking their writing.

I dont like to criticize people in public in general. Its never constructive and never improves the situation, as well no one likes when it happens to them.

 

[Zrosey]

Humans are complex souls. This article about one human that has long been held up as a early icon of gay life shows that maybe labels are not easily given.
For a while before I came to understanding and acceptance of my own self, I was pretty sure I was gay. It was scary to confront and accept my true transgender self at first, but my sexuality remains pretty fluid.
Anyways here is an article I think is a great read and fits into this thread.

https://aeon.co/essays/sex-life-and-oscar-wilde-rarely-pure-and-never-simple

 

[Zrosey]

It is so very awesome this work has been preserved! Governments are bent on destroying records of our queer history, and I'm thankful some has been saved

https://outhistory.org/exhibits/show/national-park-foundation-and-n/npslgbtqamerica

 

[Zrosey]

I came upon this amazing bit of history as I was searching for pics of paintings done by Lili Elbe, the transgender woman known as the Danish Girl.
As so often for myself, I'm in awe of people that had a deep enough knowledge of themselves and carried through with a transition as best they could in spite of social and cultural hurdles confronting them.
Hopefully some will enjoy this history as I have!

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/trailblazing-transgender-doctor-saved-countless-lives/

 

[stickygirl]

I came upon this amazing bit of history as I was searching for pics of paintings done by Lili Elbe, the transgender woman known as the Danish Girl.
As so often for myself, I'm in awe of people that had a deep enough knowledge of themselves and carried through with a transition as best they could in spite of social and cultural hurdles confronting them.
Hopefully some will enjoy this history as I have!

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/trailblazing-transgender-doctor-saved-countless-lives/

Thanks for posting this. Just awful how he was hounded despite all the good he did.

I'm sure John Green, the author, will have heard about Alan Hart and his pioneering ways of screening for TB. Green has just published a book Everything is Tuberculosis. I confess it's his only book I haven't read, yet. I've enough to deal with rn.

 

[Escierto]

I came upon this amazing bit of history as I was searching for pics of paintings done by Lili Elbe, the transgender woman known as the Danish Girl.
As so often for myself, I'm in awe of people that had a deep enough knowledge of themselves and carried through with a transition as best they could in spite of social and cultural hurdles confronting them.
Hopefully some will enjoy this history as I have!

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/trailblazing-transgender-doctor-saved-countless-lives/

Reading the article, I had two thoughts.

First, what an amazing person with such bravery and courage in living their authentic life as best they could. He is really an inspiration as are so many LGBTQIA people just trying to live their lives.

Second, then as now, the Karens of this country cannot mind their own business. They are really what make this country an insufferable hellhole.

 

[Wag_that_tail86]

The Karens, and many political leaders, will only focus on the person being trans or gay or lesbian or queer, not that they are a person, not that they made or will make contributions to the world, not that they are human and worthy of respect.

It's a sad time.

 

[Zrosey]

The Karens, and many political leaders, will only focus on the person being trans or gay or lesbian or queer, not that they are a person, not that they made or will make contributions to the world, not that they are human and worthy of respect.

It's a sad time.

I think this is a tactic pulled from many autocratic playbooks. The need to de-humanize a group of folk, it is much easier to hate when others are less than human.
Obviously this happens all over the world,I cite examples here in the US cause it is so front an center to me.
"They're eating the cats and dogs!"
"They're murderers, rapist, gang members!"
"Perverts, groomers, men pretending to be women, they are coming for your children!"
Back when this all kicked in, I never imagined it would work so well, I thought people would see right through these hateful tirades.
But here we are.......